IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Information Center was created for the people in the slum community to provide them with general information and legal aid. This resource is full of information for everyone in the family or in the community. Most of the people who live here have no idea how to go about getting important legal documents, enrolling their children in school, and following other bureaucratic procedures.

As an offshoot of the Information Center, our Resource Mobilizer recently formed a group of women who are eligible for Widows’ Pension. The Mobilizer instructs the widows in the community regarding the procedures, forms, documents and office addresses so that the group members can avail of this government assistance.

LET'S INFORM THEM 

LINKING PROJECTS: COMMUNITY KITCHEN AND DAY CARE CENTERS

The Community Kitchen is an ongoing activity that aims to empower the women from the slum areas we work with. At the same time we create employment, we also promote synergy between the Community Development and the Migrant Children projects, since the food that is given to the children at most of our Day Care Centers is prepared in our kitchen.

Asha-Kiran’s Social Mobilizer is responsible for monitoring the kitchen, while the cooks support each other in their work. Thus, in addition to linking both projects, the kitchen promotes self-sufficiency among community women

LET'S CONTINUE TO LINK DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TOGETHER

SUPPORT CLASSES in the COMMUNITY

The main purpose of support classes in the Community Project is to address the needs of children who are lagging behind their peers in skills such as reading, writing and math. Support is given to schoolchildren up to 8th grade.

The teacher and her helper teach two groups, one that comes in two hours in the morning and another one two hours in the afternoon, depending on the children's school schedule. Together with the teacher, the resource mobilizer assesses the children monthly so that the specific needs of each child can be taken into account when designing their support plan.

LET'S CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR LEARNING

FROM CHILDREN FOR CHILDREN

A manifesto written with the participation of Indian children about the issues that a large percentage of them face daily was recently unveiled by 23 local NGOs. The document was addressed to the Indian government as part of the Vote 4 Children campaign. The national media manager for Save the Children said: “Thirty six percent of Indians are children… We are fighting against child labor and for better health and quality education”.

The convenor of Vote 4 Children added that “Children can't vote, so it is important for them to influence people who represent their issues and concerns in Parliament”. The demands include increasing allocation for child protection, health and nutrition, stopping child labor, considering all people under 18 as minors, the abolition of feticide and infanticide, and implementing a national policy to combat malnutrition.

Let us continue supporting children so that their voices are heard and their rights protected.

Source: thehindu.com

SEEDS: A CULTURAL HERITAGE

For a long time, seeds have been a part of India’s cultural heritage. In a country where 70% of the population still live in rural and semi-rural communities, seeds are an integral part of many rituals, ceremonies and festivals that celebrate the cycle of birth, life and death. Saving seeds has been a cornerstone of the traditions that have made agriculture a way of life for many centuries.

In the 60s, the scenario began to change with the advent of the Green Revolution in India. The introduction of high-yielding seeds and the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides reduced the diversity of native seeds. When farmers started to move away from the practice of saving and exchanging seeds with neighbors and family, their knowledge about traditional agricultural systems became increasingly irrelevant.

In addition, there now exists the growing threat of genetically modified seeds (GMO) in the Indian markets for crops such as maize, mustard, peas, potatoes, bananas and others. Many environmentalists and farmers' groups are concerned about the impact of GMOs on the biodiversity of native varieties and the health problems associated with their consumption.

Traditionally, women farmers have been the main guardians of seeds in India. In times of scarcity, they can identify roots and tubers for food and medicinal needs. Women are also major producers of food in the country but are not recognized as farmers and have to fight to have land rights and access to information and loans.

The knowledge that women farmers have about natural resources is often undervalued by the state and agro-scientists. For example, some plants that poor farmers subsist on during periods of scarcity are regarded as weeds by agro-enterprises and are often sprayed with herbicides. And while women farmers provide the labor force for most agricultural activities, decisions relating to the management of farmland lie largely in the hands of men.

In view of growing climate unpredictability and increased expenditure on external resources, it is highly advisable that traditional wisdom on selection and conservation of seeds as well as natural practices be documented and promoted. Seeds are a symbol of self-reliance and key to safeguarding the biodiversity of indigenous crops on small farms across India.

Source: earthisland.org

NGO EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR ASHA-KIRAN

Asha-Kiran Shelters Foundation was honoured to receive the prestigious NGO EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AWARD, 2014 on the occasion of World CRS Day 17th and 18th February 2014 in Mumbai. The award was given by World CSR Congress and presented by ABP NEWS. The award was conferred on us for our development work in the field of Education, especially the project of Migrant Children “Opening Educational Pathways for Migrant Children” (OEPMC), which involves the educational development of children of labourers at construction sites.

After announcement of the award we sent our project proposal and reports detailing of our work in the sector to the World CSR team, which goes through a diligent investigation and verification of our work and then passes on to the Jury, who then selects the finalists for the award from among the many NGOs who have applied. We were selected for our innovation and sustainability in our projects and CSR methodology.

The Objectives of World CSR Congress:

The World CSR Congress will be guided by Leaders.... who believe in the value of Sustainable CSR; that which is built in the fabric of business - making it a reality. Leaders produce Leaders Program will be a common thread uniting nations and people who take CSR more responsibly. They also believe that CSR is a tool to the Development of the Future.

We thank all of our friend and collaborators for helping Asha-Kiran to offer better development pathways to the people who need them.

GETTING AN EDUCATION BEFORE GETTING MARRIED

Khushboo, like her mother before her, was forced into marriage when she was just a girl. Khushboo’s father died when she was very young, leaving her family with little means. It wasn’t long before her mother and the community pressured her to marry to help her family. “I was very young, I couldn’t say anything, I didn’t understand,” she explains.

Shortly after marrying, Khushboo dropped out of school and, with no access to family planning, became pregnant. Complications arose during childbirth and even though tried to save both mother and child, her son died and she fell into a deep depression.

Despite her ordeal, Khushboo now works as a peer educator. With her colleagues, she arranges meetings and informs villagers of the ill effects of early marriages. She has even prevented several child marriages from happening. 

Watching her sister lose her baby deeply changed Priyanka too: “My sister’s experience taught me that I shouldn’t even think of marrying until I’ve finished my studies and am able to stand on my own two feet. And I hope that not only me, but that all the girls wait to be independent before they start thinking about marriage”.

LET'S CONTINUE TO OFFER THEM OTHER LIFE OPTIONS

Source: girlsnotbrides.com