LEARNING HOW TO TEACH

Asha-Kiran endeavors to equip children and teens with the tools they will need when they reach adulthood. One of these tools is conventional education, so it is only fitting that those who have a close relationship with the children in this sense -their teachers- be people who are not only well trained academically, but also know how to relate to their pupils, use discipline with tact and respect, and enjoy the work that they do.

With this aim in mind, our latest Teacher Training activity took place at Yashodhara Shelter, where the teachers attended the following sessions:

Stress management 
Behavior problems and how to deal with them
(Given by Ms. Divekar, Counsellor from Pune Municipal Corporation).

How to improve memory
How to develop teaching skills
(Given by Mr. Son Kamble, retired Pune University professor).

Counselling needs
(Given by Ms. Varsha Kali, President of Indian Union for Barbala).

Our thanks to them and Ella and Madukar Sarode from the NGO Dyandaine, for networking with Asha-Kiran, coordinating the sessions and for their selfless participation.

LET'S CONTINUE EDUCATING EDUCATORS

PROMOTING HEALTH

Health is one of the major issues in slum life because children and adults usually live in highly unhygienic conditions. As a result, they suffer from a range of diseases like malaria, respiratory problems, diarrhea, etc. For this reason, Asha-Kiran conducts Health Checkup Camps in the Community and Construction Site Centers for children and adults as well. Our Health Program runs at the preventive and curative levels.

Our objectives are to

Identify health related issues
Reduce health problems
Provide health care facilities.

During the months of July and August, it was found that most of the children at both projects were suffering from colds and cough, for which they received the proper medication. There is a rise in certain illnesses due to seasonal factors such as the monsoon, so seasonal checkups are carried out in addition to regular ones.

LET'S PROMOTE THEIR HEALTH

RAPE: THE PROBLEM BEHIND THE PROBLEM

In 2011-12, the gender rights NGO Akshara conducted a study in collaboration with Hindustan Times called 'Make Mumbai safe for women'. After surveying 4,200 women in Mumbai, it was found that 95% of the respondents had experienced sexual harassment on the street, and 46% on public buses. Despite the escalation of offenses against women, the gang rape of August 22, along with other rapes in the last year, has left people bewildered, incensed and in search of answers.

Nevertheless, rape is endemic and widespread in Indian society, occurring both inside and outside the home. The victims are not only women, but also teenagers and girls. The best way to tackle the problem is at its base: during childhood. It is necessary to educate children, reach their parents, their neighborhoods, their communities. There must be gender sensitization workshops for teachers, parents and school administrators. Gender equality, as a subject, should be compulsory in the school curriculum. There should be innovative events, creative activities and projects for children and parents, month after month, year round.

There are no quick cures to a problem that arises from an entrenched patriarchal system and misogyny fueled by a culture of impunity. Violence against women has to be eradicated through intelligently conceived, intense and sensitive work at the school, community and district level, all backed by a relentless media campaign that can evolves as needs change. Laws and punitive measures are not enough. Although progress may be slow and may obstacles will have to be overcome, this is the only way to go if there is to be a radical change in society’s attitude towards the female sex.

Source: hindustantimes

FUN AND CREATIVITY

For three weeks in the month of August, various arts and crafts activities were conducted at all of our projects for our young beneficiaries, led by Laura Amor and Silvia Benítez, two Spanish volunteers. Some of the objectives behind the workshops were to enhance the children’s psycho-motor skills, teach them to handle the various materials used, and enhance their creativity in innovative ways. 

Aside from thoroughly enjoying the activities, they were helpful to arouse the children’s interest in studies. Language was not a barrier for either the volunteers or the children, who understood each other perfectly. Laura and Silvia drew, made face masks, sang songs and danced with the children.  It was rewarding to see them opening up to, interacting with each other, and having so much fun.

When volunteers from the West go to India for the first time, a process of adaptation occurs when they come into close contact with vulnerable children. This process usually ends in a new attitude towards life and relationships, as was Silvia’s case, who has shared her feelings with us.

“Today I thank life for allowing me to learn this way; because I have been ‘slapped’ to make me see that I have infinite good fortune; because it has taught me the universal language of smiles and looks; because it has set me before another world and other lives that are totally different yet wonderful; because it has made me see my boundless love for children; because it has made me understand that I am just an accident and that my ego is not more than one of those pebbles I encounter along the way.

Today I think I'm more humble. Right now I feel like a millionth of a total and wonderful whole, and as such, why not, also a wonderful part, but not an important one.

Today, I promise myself to thank the universe more often for all that I have been offered. Today, I promise myself to get up every day with the firm intention of helping others, starting by those near me. Today, I commit myself to breathe in life every second, to be aware of every moment and never cease in my work of attempting to be a better person. Today, I see the world through different eyes.”

LET'S SUPPORT THEIR CREATIVITY

WOMEN POWER

This story of a woman farmer is a testimony to the change that women can bring to their families and communities when provided access to training and the proper resources. Ram is a leader who defied social norms in her community in Uttar Pradesh and has been implementing sustainable farming methods on her farm for the past ten years thanks to the training she received from GEAG.

Equipped with know-how, she uses intercropping and crop rotation to increase farmland productivity and improve soil fertility. She maximizes production during the dry season, growing more than 32 crop varieties. The monsoon is often devastating in Ram’s village, so she counteracts its effects by growing flood-resistant vines that allow her to farm the land during the rainy season.

Before Ram was successful in agriculture, many women in her village were reluctant to attend the training provided by GEAG. The social ridicule she faced, however, dissipated when she saved enough money to buy her own piece of land. Inspired by her example, village women began to attend classes and to develop sustainable agricultural management practices.

Since then, Ram has taught 200 women in her village, 90 of which are now small-scale organic farmers who use local seed varieties. Recently, Ram bought a well so that women would not have to walk long distances in search of water, thereby increasing their productivity. Ram continues to create solutions to adapt to climate change in her community, empowering other women to become advocates for the environment and self-sufficient farmers.

Source: womensearthalliance