Prayas - Volume 1 Issue 1

June 2004

EDITORIAL

Welcome to the first issue of the PRAYAS.

In its simplest form, we introduce the Sanctuary newsletter: a forum for exchanging ideas and implementation experiences.

This newsletter is somewhat different from others already existing in two ways: 1) There is special emphasis on the needs of the children in the domain - educational, emotional,
psychological, health, and career. 2) There is also emphasis on lessons learnt and replicable ideas - on rehabilitation, vocational training, resources available, approaching the community and so on.

This is your medium of interaction, and it will be as effective as you make it. Write often, read often and comment so we can stay connected in the manner that is most
productive. To this end, help us shape this newsletter to meet your needs by giving us feedback, positive or negative, so we can be your partners as much as we can be. Tell us what you want to read about, and write to us your experiences, however simple they may seem.

We are keeping the structure simple on purpose. This should make it possible for us to communicate faster and with ease and cost-effectively. We would like to hear from you of ways we can make this easier, or simpler.

This first issue features two excellent articles. One describes experiences with a new initiative to create career options for rescued girls, thinking outside the box. The
second describes a fun event called Balakotsav.

All newsletter issues are archived on the Sanctuary website. Should you want additional information about any article, feel free to contact the organization directly, or contact us and
we will try to facilitate a flow of information.

Prayas Website: http://www.ashanet.org/focusgroups/sanctuary

Finally,we are glad to introduce to you the editorial team consisting of Rohini Muthuswami from Delhi, whom most of you met at the conference in Mysore, and Sunil Laxman from Seattle, USA. For submissions of articles, comments and letters, please write to them directly at: rmuthuswami@yahoo.com or linuslax@yahoo.com

Hansa Shah and Venkata Pingali

MAANAVI- Empowerment through Entrepreneurships

-Ramesh Dodamani discusses the activities of "Maanavi Mahila Sangha" which provides vocational training and monetary assistance to rescued girls in Mysore.

Organization

"Maanavi Mahila Sangha" (Maanavi Womens Cooperative) was registered on March 8th, the International Women's Day, 2004. According to Parashuram, one of the directors of Odanadi, the concept was created about 3 years back when they were in a dilemma whether to treat the rescued teeneaged girls as children or as adults. They decided to take a
"Maanaviya"(humanitarian) approach to the problem in which a significant trust in placed in the girls - their ability to manage their lives, rise upto challenges and integrate into the mainstream on their terms. International Organization for Migration (IOM) liked the concept and decided to support it in addition to Odanadi.

Program

The program consists of providing monetary support for training and a loan for the girls to start their own businesses. The choice of businesses were made based on interests and available business opportunities.

Maanavi currently supports four projects:

Travel agency or taxi service: Three girls have learnt driving and obtained their licenses. They plan to transport children to schools, which has become a lucrative business
these days. The belief is that parents would be more secure if they have a lady driver transporting their children. They also plan to provide transport services to local companies. The logistics for the latter are still being worked out for this venture.
A beauty parlor: Two girls have been trained as beauticians, and a few more are attending a 6-month beautician course.
"Maanavi Emporium" to sell the soaps, detergents, shampoos, cleaning liquids, candles that they themselves produce as well as products from other such co-operative groups from across the state. Presently, many local organizations have offered to buy the products in bulk from the Maanavi Emporium.
Amul parlor with Amul products: IOM will provide logistics and other support to procure the Amul products. The locations to setup Amul parlors have already been identified and
business will start soon. The girls will manage these businesses themselves.

People and Training

The girls are building the necessary skills by working with more experienced staff while continuing their basic education, and participating in self development activities.

There is an overall project/marketing coordinator and a training coordinator who have a lot of experience in working with NGOs and such programs. As part of the program the
president of the society attended a week long intensive training course in Hyderabad organized by IOM. The project coordinator and the president are transferring the knowledge
they obtained from their training to the girls.

The coordinators conduct various educational games to improve overall abilities of the girls. Some of the (initially) illiterate girls are learning to read and write now so that
they can manage their business. In addition, the girls are also learning basic mathematics. The president, a 20-year old, who hasn't passed 10th, is turning out to be an impressive
leader.

Maanavi is also receiving support from many people. Lectures, demonstrations and trainings are being conducted daily by experts who teach them about leadership, accounting,
communication, honesty in business, customer service, identifying adulteration in products, approaching consumer forums with issues etc. MSW students from a local college have conducted games where the intent was to learn to be attentive to details, and actions of others, being attentive to goals set, concentrating on a task etc.

Result

Before the program started the girls were getting bored because they had nothing to do and did not know how to use the skills they had learnt through short-term training. Now they all have a sense of purpose, which is a great of source of strength to them. One girl who was willing to do any kind of labor like being a maid-servant etc, is now finding that the new program might help her do better in life. One of the girls said, "I used to be so bored before, but now I am so busy that time flies". Earlier, the families of the girls, and people around were always putting them down. The girls now feel that they can walk tall among the very same people. They have an identity, and high self esteem now, with a feeling of achievement. They have gained the confidence of facing all circumstances. Hidden in all of this is the sense of pride and satisfaction that somebody was willing to place trust in them and their capabilities.

Another common point is that they all want to help others who are in similar circumstances. One of the girls who was treated badly while at home and forcibly married, says she
always wanted to become a social worker, and is now on that path. The team work that is necessary for the business to run smoothly is encouraging a spirit of sharing.

Difficulties

However, not everything is rosy at the Sangha. Some girls still have psychological issues to contend with. Differences often crop up. Others who haven't been at Odanadi for long
have some adjustment problems. It is not surprising when you consider the varied backgrounds and experiences. The response of the girls to the problems indicates their maturity. They sit and discuss. Unsolved problems are first taken up to the training coordinator and only finally to Stanly-Parashu.

Sheela Khare, the training coordinator, observes that while initially they tried to resolve issues in a group, it did not work. Now she resorts to individual counseling, which enables
greater individual attention. Learning to work as a team takes time.

Future

The loan amount provided by IOM is now owned by the society and the girls are aware of their responsibility and the required payback of the loan. The total amount has already
been distributed to different groups with their own accounts. The IOM coordinator Sudha Gooty who was visiting to get an update on the program was very satisfied with the
progress. According to Parashuram and Stanly, the project has been "highly successful". The girls' lethargy and psychological and physical issues have been tackled,
uncertainties removed, their behavioral and language have improved, and they hope of opportunities. He says this program is the first of its kind in India.

Odanadi plans to involve people from various sections of the society in this effort, and in the process eliminate the stigma against these girls, and achieve the larger goal of
creating awareness and reducing trafficking. It is an amazing experience to watch a bunch of under-20 girls who have seem some of the worst in life, some of whom are still learning
their ABCs, get together, take up responsibility and transform their lives (and in future, that of any other girl who is in a similar position). We are all supporting them, and look
forward to the day when they don't need our support any more.

BALAKOTSAV-2003-Festival of the Children

Organization

Prerana is a voluntary sector organization working with the victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking (VOCSET) and their children in the red light areas of
Kamathipura and Falkland Road since 1986, and in Bhiwandi and Vashi-Turbhe red light areas since 1999. Prerana aims to eliminate second generation trafficking (trafficking of
children of prostitute women into the flesh trade).

The various measures adopted include protection, care and
support as well as development of these children Prerana gives
considerable importance to providing cultural, artistic,
recreational and leisure activity.

Objectives

To give the children an opportunity to exhibit their talents and express the feeling of joy.
To provide a platform to be on the stage and perform in public which in turn boosts their confidence.
To recognize, present before the guests, well wishers of Prerana other children and mothers reward and felicitate the children who have passed the SSC and HSC exams as part of Prerana's Education Support Programme and the Ideal Mothers.
To positively reinforce high goal orientation among the achieving children
To provide confidence and encouragement to other children to aim high and to work for achievements in life.
To provide a platform to spread awareness about the abilities of VOCSET and their children thereby to overcome stigma and discrimination.
To involve children to participate in planning and execution of programmes as away of learning in democracy.

Ideal Mother Award

The mothers who have diligently worked for the career development of their children also get the Ideal Mother Award. Being felicitated by someone holding an important position
in the mainstream society is a precious dream the children and their mothers cherish and immensely enjoy when it comes true. Thirteen mothers got the award this year.

Program

Seventeen children of Prerna, who have completed their 10th and 12th standard examinations were feliciatated this year by Mr.Pramod Pawar, well-known theatre
and television personality.

The Balakotsav started with shlokas in Sanskrit sung by the children of Kamathipura/Creche I, and Creche 2 followed by "Manache Sholka" compositions of Swami Ramdas sung by the children of Falkland Road/Creche II. The elder children of Falkland road performed a Ganesh Vandana. Thereafter the kindergarden children of Kamathipuracentre presented slogans of the India freedom fighters and other national figures such as Jhansi ki Rani, Lokmanya Tilak, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bandaur Shastri and Chhatrapati Shivaji. The little ones looked great in the outfits and reminded everyone of the days of the freedom struggle and other national leaders.

Prerana is a partner of the "Dancing Feat" project, which is a collaboration project of CCDT and SDIPA with the support of USAID. The children from Prerana's Dancing Feat project team danced to popular songs. The pre-primary children of Kamathipura center performed an action song "Enginedada". The song described how a rail engine and train functioned and how the children love traveling by train.

Prerana runs a residential Institution NAUNIHAL for children.The elder girls from Naunihal performed a Rajasthani dance. The younger children of dancing feat project from
Falkland Rd. centre danced to the song Dil Chahe. The younger girls from Naunihal danced to the song Nache re mora. This song depicted the Indian monsoon and a
wonderful peacock dance. The children from Kamathipura center presented a fashion show the theme for which was "Costumes of India". The fashion show brought forth the various cultures and traditions of the Indian state and espoused national unity in cultural diversity. Maharashtra is famous for a folk a dance cum drill called the Lezim dance. The children from Kamathipura performed Lezim with colourful costumes.

Outcome

The children from the various centers of Prerana arrived in the morning at the venue and were busy gearing up for the actual program. The mothers started coming in from 3 pm. The staff was kept on its toes making the arrangements, and monitoring the proceedings of the day. The atmosphere was full of fun and joy. The children interacted with one another. The Creche I and Creche II children were happy to meet their Virar and Vashi friends. The mothers were proud to see their children perform on the stage. The children from other organizations like, Yuva, Balprafulta, Sneha, Hamara Club, Aasara, Salam Balak Trust, Pratham, Navjeevan, CCDT, Apne Aap, Bal kalyan Nagari, Shraddhanand Mahila Aashram, Salvation Aarmy, Sneha Sadan, Mazhe Maher, D. N. Shirur also attended the Balakotsav. They liked the performances and the relished the goodies they received. In all there were 941 children present for the Balakotsav. The food packets were also shared with the girls of the Special Rescue Home (for the girl children rescued from brothels) Deonar and the women of Nutrition project of Prerana.

DISCLAIMER:Views and experiences are of the writers and not necessarily the views of the editors and Sanctuary

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROm SHARING THE INFORMATION