AN IMPORTANT FAMILY ISSUE

The last topic at our Parents’ and Women’s Self Help Group meeting was domestic violence against women and children. The attendants were shown some clippings of the Indian television show Satyamev Jayate, where several people share their experiences on how they have dealt with domestic violence.

The stories involve substance abuse, aggression on females at the hands of their husbands or in-laws, discrimination against female children and child abuse.  Everyone was shocked after watching the video and some of the women cried.

The community women said that this happens mostly in well educated, settled and economically stable families, and that they would never let this happen, but the fact of the matter is that domestic violence does occur across all strata of society, and it is necessary that all women be made aware of their worth so that they learn to respect themselves and defend their children's rights as well as their own.

LET'S MAKE THEM AWARE OF THEIR WORTH

THE OTHER MISSION OF TEACHERS

Basavaraju is a primary school teacher who evokes Gandhi – whom he emulates and impersonates amongst his school students and people on the streets in a small town in the State of Karnataka, India. He began doing this as a way to spread Gandhian ideology by using the power of visual imagery.

Born to a materially disadvantaged family, he studied hard and got the job of P.E. teacher in a small private school. Some label him mad, others think he has an innovative style to beg, while many come and question him on his impersonation. This helps him to open a tiny window in the minds of those who question him, and to talk about the relevance and the need to practice the Gandhian ideals.

He considers children to be important thought builders, so he spends time with them sharing the Gandhian ideology with them, because peace is what he yearns for everyone and himself. As he puts it, war is all around – amongst nations, religious communities, groups or even different castes. Basavaraju also spends time teaching yoga to school children. Nowadays, there is a huge demand on his time as other schools call him to teach their children about Gandhi and yoga.

No medals, no certificates, no awards or rewards, no pomp – just an incognito hero who is living by those ideals every day. If, like him, all teachers went beyond academics and helped to instill much needed values in young minds and hearts, there would be renewed hope for our world – the womb where future generations grow. 

LET’S CONTRIBUTE TO TRAIN TEACHERS WHO IMPART WORTHY IDEALS

Source: thebetterindia.com

NEW EYE CHECKUPS IN THE COMMUNITY

Asha-Kiran organized a new Eye Checkup Camp for the people in the community with the help of Bharati Hospital. Over a hundred people benefitted from the checkups, out of whom approximately half got new glasses.

Five people were diagnosed as cataract patients. One of them has been operated on already and is doing well now. The community people all came to take advantage of this health service and were very thankful for the care and glasses they received.

LET'S TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE'S HEALTH

SEWING THEIR WAY TOWARDS FINANCIAL STABILITY

A new Basic Tailoring Course started in September. The first day of class, the teacher, Mrs. Panchashila, distributed Certificates to the women who had attended and completed the previous course. Ten women are attending basic course, and those who have completed it come in regularly to continue practicing and honing their skills.

The basic course focuses on learning to design patterns for dresses and blouses, cutting and stitching. After completing the three-month course, the participants get a certificate from the Government Training Institute that helps them start their own business.

Asha-Kiran’s goal behind training women in garment making and design is to equip them with a valuable skill towards gaining economic self-sufficiency. We are also in the process of recruiting women for our upcoming Tailoring Business course, which will focus on the commercial aspects of tailoring.

UNCOVERING AND PUTTING THEIR POTENTIAL TO WORK