SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
In the last decade, a national conversation has begun about sexual assault and women’s rights in India. Generational change is integral to social change, but the concept of consent is not covered in the national education curriculum. This taboo remains a powerful obstacle to social change.
Our campaign offers a structured set of age-appropriate workshops for school children for 1 to 12th standard, discussing the issues of:
- consent (regarding all forms of physical contact, not only sexual),
- body autonomy, and
- informative and assuring dialogue on taboo subject
Using worksheets and discussion, participants are given information and strategies to empower them in the event of unwelcome or non-consensual contact, including creating a personalised list of trusted adults, and being made aware of other relevant resources.
We have reached over 2500 children so far, and received highly positive feedback from children and their parents. With your support, we can continue to empower our children to build a better future for all.
Vital brain development takes place in humans between birth and the age of six, before formal education begins. We live in an increasingly digital world, and many parents are concerned about the impact of screen-time on their children’s development in this crucial stage. Our campaign addresses both these issues by providing a free library of picture books published in local languages to children in rural communities.
We have established nine local libraries in North Gujarat, each based in a community hub building. Our libraries make regular access easy for everyone. Membership is free. We work with a volunteer in each community to maintain the collection and assist members to borrow and exchange books regularly. Children are encouraged to choose their own books and to read them with their parents or caregiver. This supports the creative and imaginative lives of growing children and provides a great opportunity for closer bonding within families.
The beneficial outcomes of this campaign include
- enhancement of cognitive and emotional development in a crucial phase of childhood,
- support for literacy in rural communities,
- promotion of local languages, and
- enhanced social cohesion within families and communities.
STROKE AWARENESS
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a burst or blocked artery. Stroke is an emergency. The brain damage which can also be fatal. Those lucky enough to survive require intensive rehabilitation therapy and many will never fully recover. Rates of Strokes in India is on the rise. The average age of stroke is just 44. Even more shockingly, 80% of strokes are preventable.
Indians have some of the highest global rates of the key risk factors associated with stroke, including:
- high blood pressure,
- obesity,
- diabetes,
- heart disease, and
- smoking/tobacco chewing.
Lack of access to health education and to formal medical care, along with a diet high in fats and sugars, compounds the risk of stroke for many people.
Our campaign provides free health checks in rural communities, administered from a mobile unit staffed by medical professionals. Participants’ blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI (body mass index), height and weight are recorded in their MyHealth booklet. This equip them to follow up any problems immediately with a doctor, and to keep track of their health over the long term. The booklet also provides other Stroke information.
We also spread awareness on the F.A.S.T. message. FAST stands for Face, Arms, Speech and Time. It is an internationally used method to recognise sign of Stroke. And to act on it.
Ours is a two-pronged approach. It is to raise awareness of stroke and its causes, and educate individuals about the state of their health. This campaign empowers communities to take charge of their well being and join the fight to reduce alarmingly high rate of stroke.
Are you annoyed by the honking on the road? Do you wish people blow less horn?
We too!
We are launching this fun campaign to reduce noise pollution on the roads. And to promote co-operative, joyful road experience. Why not join us to take the message “Horn NOT OK Please” to everyone? Be part of this movement, contact us for more details.