Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

Dear Donor,

Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy!! Thanks for your support for our work. Sharing some of the key highlights of our work between Oct 23 and Jan 24.

Empowering communities through community mobilisation in Delhi and Haryana

“Two girls named Sneha and Priyanka were joyfully dancing to the tune of the Breakthrough song 'Laal Laal Ankhiyon Se.' In a heartwarming moment, Muskan, a girl from the minority community, got inspired and eagerly asked, "Can I dance too?" This happened during a community mobilization event in the RWA Dubagga of Lucknow where the simple request marked a significant turning point for the girls of the minority community, who had previously been excluded from such activities.

Community Mobilization effectively taps into the potential of mass participation, involving community members in addressing pertinent societal challenges. When blended with local context and presented through engaging means, this approach becomes even more impactful. In alignment with this strategy, we have launched Community Mobilisation programs like Kishor Kishori Mela and Badi si Asha in the intervention areas of Haryana and Delhi.

Breakthrough's is working in three crucial intervention areas in Delhi: Durga Park, New Seemapuri, and Old Seemapuri, as well as four areas in Lucknow: Dubagga, Barawankala, Laulai, and Para. The energy and enthusiasm of the youth remained unwavering as they continued to sing, dance, and present other issue-based performances.

In the communities of Sangam Vihar and Dabua of Delhi, a powerful rally shed light on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Gender-Based Discrimination (GBD), while emphasizing the ‘Dakhal Do’ campaign by Team Change Leaders (TCLs) and women's groups. The community engagement went beyond words, with impactful wall and slogan writings and prominent displays of helpline numbers.

To further amplify the message, a special event titled ‘Aao Milkar Gungunaye, Sabko Apne Mudde Sunaye’ took place, featuring a captivating performance by the talented group, Manzil Mystic. Their songs addressed critical issues such as GBD, GBV, aspirations, and women in leadership. The event provided a platform for the audience to not just passively listen, but actively engage with the performers. The accomplishments of Sangam Vihar were celebrated, success stories were shared, and demand letters were issued to the ward councillor, urging an increase in police patrolling for women's safety. We have reached to total 3,619 individuals, reflecting the widespread impact of the community mobilization efforts

In Haryana, "Badi Si Asha," campaign commenced on December 18th and that continued till the first week of January 2024. In this, we have utilized street theatre as a powerful medium to mobilize support from youth and parents, fostering a dialogue on the aspirations of adolescents. Additionally, showcased the inspiring stories of change leaders within the community who have made a significant impact, served a motivation for the youth. The street theatre performances have successfully reached more than sixty thousand of people including adolescents, adults and youth, generating awareness on the importance of adolescent girls' education and nurturing their aspirations.

Introducing a new theme, "Humari Samasya, Humare Prayas" (Our problems, our solutions), the campaign empowered Team Change Leaders (TCLs) and youth to address community issues through theatre performances based on real stories. The impact was profound, as young girls voiced the significance of education in combating gender-based violence and discrimination, resonating deeply with the audience.

Empowering Change: The Journey of Delhi's Team Change Leaders (TCLs)

In December 2023, 23 TCLs hailing from Sangam Vihar, Dabua Colony, Old Seemapuri, New Seemapuri, and Durga Park of Delhi embarked on a transformative residential capacity building training program. Over three days, they delved deep into unravelling the pervasive impact of gender and patriarchy on societal perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. Equipped with newfound understanding, the TCLs embraced their pivotal role in reshaping societal norms and advocating for equality.

The TCLs actively took on the responsibility of leading discussions on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) within their respective communities. Engaging in group activities and a powerful Power Walk, they demonstrated their unwavering commitment to challenging existing narratives and fostering positive change.

Furthermore, the TCLs from Sangam Vihar, in collaboration with the Breakthrough team, showcased their impactful work at events such as the WISCOMP seminar in New Delhi. Here, they participated in a roundtable discussion focused on Breakthrough's extensive efforts and shared strategies devised by Sangam Vihar youth to raise awareness on Gender-Based Discrimination (GBD) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The event also featured the youth-created song 'Judge Kare Hai,' amplifying their voices and messages. In another significant contribution, TCL Nargis joined forces with the Breakthrough team at the 'Agenda for Action for Adolescents' consultation by the YP Foundation.

The journey continued as our dedicated Team Change Leaders marked National Youth Day on January 12th, National Girl Child Day on January 24th, and Republic Day on January 26th. Through a thematic focus on fostering dialogue and raising awareness about the rights of young people, they engaged curious minds through various platforms. From in-person sessions to outdoor games basking in the winter sunshine at Lodhi Gardens in Delhi, and digital webinars, they facilitated discussions to ignite change and empower communities.

In every endeavour, Delhi's TCLs exemplified their unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society, one step at a time.

Breaking Barriers- Bus Service in Gadhi Khajoor, Karnal

In the deep transformation gram panchayats, after conducting PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) and gathering information from communities through discussions with different groups/cohorts, we initiated a community-led process by facilitating group formation with adolescents and youth in these communities. During this process, groups prioritized their issues to begin taking action.

In a village called Gadhi Khajoor in Haryana's Karnal district, a group of adolescent girls and youth identified the lack of transport as a barrier to their education and aspirations. Taking matters into their own hands, the village's young girls initiated a signature campaign, collecting signatures from nearly 150 young girls aspiring to further their education and pursue careers. These determined young girls personally visited the Karnal CMO's office, where they shared their concerns with the authorities.

After three months of hard work, the village now enjoys the benefit of a regular bus service, benefiting not only 15 young girls but also 10 young boys in the community. Additionally, girls from neighbouring villages have started enrolling in college, with nearly 35 new admissions. It is expected that this number will double in the upcoming academic year. This achievement was made possible through continuous discussions at Gram Sabha meetings facilitated by Breakthrough, engaging with youth and adolescent girls, and consulting with the local community. Notably, Ms. Jaspreet Kaur, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Karnal District, played a pivotal role in starting this initiative.

Fostering Leadership: Student Councils Formation in Haryana

Involvement of Student Councils facilitated adolescent girls' inputs in school decisions, embedding aspirations and skills through inter-generational exchanges, promoting inclusivity and empowerment.

As part of the Good School Indicators initiative, the formation of Student Councils is underway to create inclusive environments for adolescents in Haryana schools. Teachers and principals have applauded this as a positive initiative by Breakthrough. The process, designed and tested with input from teachers, students, and administrative leaders, has led to the formation of 15 Student Councils following CSC (Child Safeguarding Committee) guidelines in a democratic manner, engaging approximately 1500 students.

With the aims to represent the school, unify through activities, promote civic responsibility and leadership, the process of formation of Student Council consists of elected or appointed student leaders who work with school administrators to address student concerns, organize events, and promote student welfare. Most of the school staff highly appreciate the idea and provide support during the formation.

All our work happens through the financial support we received from donors like you and are immensely grateful for the same. Request you to continue your support and, if possible, refer us to like-minded people in your circle.

With Hope and Gratitude,

Aman Chhabra.