A BRAND NEW DAY CARE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CHILDREN

Asha-Kiran has just opened its first nursery for children up to three years old as part of its Community Project, in the same building where we carry out activities and training courses for children, youngsters and women in the community. Delighted about this new initiative, many mothers brought their young children and the rest of their families to the inauguration ceremony.

We renovated an entire floor of the Community Center so that the facilities would be suitable for this purpose. Blessed by Ganesha, the ceremony opened the door to a new form of support for working mothers who now have a welcoming and safe place where their young children can play, learn and be cared for.

After the ceremony, Deepa (our new director in India), Hansa and Uttam gave a short speech to those present. Meanwhile, with eyes wide open, the children explored and enjoyed their new space. In the questions and answers round, what we heard most was: “Could you extend the timetable?” We also heard comments like “This nursery is better than any other around”.

The event ended amidst laughter, games and songs.

BREAKING THE CULTURAL MOLD

Rukhsana speaks clearly and goes to the point. She is not shy when she lists the disadvantages of her status as a girl without financial means, and is very much aware of her rights. The amazing thing is that she is so articulate despite being 16, Indian, a girl, and a slum dweller.

This young girl leads a group of 22 children where they talk about their rights and practical things such as how to improve their school, where there is only one classroom for 90 students of all ages. “It's overcrowded, teachers can’t teach everyone. There are also ventilation problems”, she says. They have sent their requests to the government in writing, but have received little response so far. She says, however, that “Thanks to this I have come to know the rights we have as children”.

The oldest of five siblings, she regularly attends the programs that Chetanalaya, a local NGO, has been implementing for 15 years in the peripheral areas of New Delhi, which include advice on hygiene, financial assistance to renovate people’s shacks, and microcredits to start small businesses and strengthen academic tutoring at an early age. They also offer self-defense classes for women and girls in the slum area.

Her family understands that studying is important for her to have a chance of surmounting her paralyzing material poverty, and would love for her to go to college. In regard to this possibility, his father says, “It’s hard to find a way to do it. I’m the only one who works and there are seven of us at home. My salary is 5,000 rupees (about 40€) as a delivery man. We have just enough to make ends meet.”

Meanwhile, Rukhsana is glad that her parents allow her to continue going to school. “Many girls can’t study because their parents do not want them to. They have to stay home and take care of their siblings and can’t go to school or participate in training programs. I understand it because they are looking after their siblings, but I’m sorry that they have to give up their studies. Normally they get married around 16 and then have children right away. Getting married isn’t part of my plans until I finish my studies” she says.

Source: periodismohumano.com

ASHA-KIRAN IN A NEW SPORTS EVENT

Concern India Foundation organized their sixth Annual Inter-NGO Sports Meet for economically and socially underprivileged children. It was held on January 10th, 2015 at Sanas Ground, Pune.

Although A-K’s children did not receive any prizes this time, their participation has been very successful over the years and a great chance for them to experience the thrill of joining other children in this friendly event. Asha-Kiran’s Director and staff in India were present to cheer our team on.

UPSTANDERS INSTEAD OF BYSTANDERS

The main purpose of the Information and Legal Center is to guide and inform community dwellers about any issues pertaining to government schemes and benefits. The Community Mobilizer explains rules and procedures and, if needed, she also goes along with the beneficiaries to visit government offices. Her duties, however, go well beyond the mere filling of forms.

It came to our attention that a girl in the neighborhood school was being harassed by a teacher. The girl’s mother brought up this issue to us when her daughter refused to go to school, so the community mobilizer set up a meeting at the school itself to discuss this issue with the people in charge. This timely action resulted in the dismissal of the aforesaid teacher, and the beginning of an all-female-teachers policy for the safety of the children.

BECOME AN UPSTANDER TOO

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDERS - DECEMBER 2014

Dear friends of Asha-Kiran,

We are writing this letter from Pune, India. It is always a pleasure to be here, near the beneficiaries we work for and to whom we devote our daily efforts. Being here is always tantamount to gaining momentum so as to keep on improving the work we do.

A new year, full of possibilities, is just beginning. We are already planning new projects we will soon tell you about and which will greatly contribute to the sustainability of A-K, and also increase the number of children and women who benefit from our endeavors. India is an infinite space of possibilities for social work where each project makes a new one possible. As always, it is money that sets the limits of our growth, but we must say that Asha-Kiran is proud of the social backing it receives.

We count on dedicated people with open hearts, and this is the essential element that makes Fundación Asha-Kiran continue to “share vitality” and aspire to be a way for your solidarity to be expressed.

We hope 2015 will be a year when the peace, solidarity and love we long for will come true. We remain committed to going in this direction and do it THANKS TO YOU.

Hugs from India,

Hansa and Uttam.

THE WOMEN'S PARLIAMENT IN INDIA

A Women’s mock Parliament is seeking to solve some of the major issues that women face across India. The enormously successful mock Parliament has unleashed years of pent-up angst, as women activists-members used evidence and their oratory skills to present a range of issues that impact them as well as an alternative vision of political participation where women are heard and given due importance.

The Women’s Parliament was organized by ActionAid’s Beti Zindabad campaign in 2012 and has worked with women’s organizations in 20 states, trying to give women a more active voice that can make a strong political comment. Since then, the campaign has evolved into a large movement that examines issues faced by women and girls at various stages of their life, taking into account their geographical and social contexts.

Monemma was one of the 80 participant women activists. Having spent her childhood as a bonded laborer who was rescued a few years back by a human rights organization, she believes that “Too much time has been lost already. Women are oblivious of their own value and are spectators to the unfolding of their destinies. I am committed to giving women a voice and unleashing their inner potential.”

She said that nearly 25,000 families of her tribal community are still under bondage situations. More than 12,000 acres of land that belong to them is in the hands of powerful local land owners. There is no one to fight on behalf of these women and give them back what is rightfully theirs, so they continue to live in abject poverty, exploitation and helplessness. She urged Revenue and Labor officials to visit the location, take stock of the situation and initiate the necessary steps of rescue and rehabilitation.

Trafficking and child marriage, acid attacks and domestic violence, female infanticide, rising sex violence, transgender issues, gender-based discrimination, health and sanitation, women’s political participation, social security, disability, wage inequality, workplace harassment, issues of minorities and tribal women, and unfair land distribution are some of the chronic conditions that women have been living with for generations. Campaigns and enactment of laws has brought about some awareness but change is yet to be seen.

The Women’s Parliament, the first of its kind in India, is one way of articulating these challenges. The women ‘parliamentarians’ demanded more effective monitoring mechanisms that could evaluate the progress of enacted laws and their enforcement, pushing up accountability of governments. What the Women’s Parliament has done is to draw up a very articulate wish list. The Parliament has even come up with some plausible solutions like having Protection Officers for domestic violence cases in every state. It is evident that Women Parliament members mean business.

As a former member of the Planning Commission remarked, “These women are not going to be easily placated and satisfied. We in the government have to become more responsive. I am going to push for some of the issues raised at this platform to be tabled in the Parliament’s ongoing Winter Session.” The mock Parliament might has ended but the women activists have returned home with a little more hope.

Source: thebetterindia.com

MOTHERS, FATHERS AND TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER

Parent-Teacher Meetings are an essential part of the functioning of the Day Care Centers at construction sites. It is important to involve the parents in discussions about their children and about the functioning of the Centers in general.

Conducting the meetings on a regular basis gives the parents a platform for discussing any difficulties they may face. They are also able to express their views and suggestions about the activities at the Centers. Above all, these meetings are an essential form of communication that furthers a relationship of trust between parents and teachers.

The main points covered in the last meeting were the following:

Awareness about dengue
General discussion about health and hygiene
Importance of formal schooling
Health promotion and cleanliness of the children

LISTENING SO AS TO BUILD A BETTER PRESENT AND FUTURE