Nishtha plays an active part in the Dharamsala Environmental Preservation Network who are working to strengthen their organisation to be able to effectively lobby the government to enforce littering and garbage disposal rules for hotels and homestays. Our team continues to work tirelessly in the village to educate people by example to pick up litter and segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

Ananya and Eshika, who study at Chandigarh University joined our team for a week to gain experience of working in an NGO. Ravindra organised their time so they were able to learn about and join in one of our health education clinics, the childrens program, distributing supplies to the schools and in waste collection and segregation. We were happy to have been able to provide such willing and helpful students with this opportunity.

Children learn about how to eat well by being provided with regular good food. Nishtha provides fresh fruits, vegetables and tofu to supplement their school midday meal of rice and dal, establishing eating habits to last a lifetime.

Our team were super busy on June 5th, Environment Day. In the morning they visited three of our mountain schools where the team performed a skit highlighting the importance of keeping the water channels clear and clean, not cutting trees and of segregating waste, not burning it so that it doesn’t destroy our clean air. In the afternoon they joined in the event in McLeod Ganj along with 7 other local organisations to spread awareness of the urgent need to protect the environment.

Our plastic weaving demo at Nishtha’s stall at the Rakkar village mela was a great attraction for the local people. They appreciated the message that re-using waste plastic is not only good for the environment but can also provide very useful sitting mats.

Eighteen of the students sponsored by Nishtha visited Aavishkar NGO along with Puja Anand and Vijay last week. Their purpose was to see the “Sajhe Sapne” program, a program running at Aaviskaar for educated girls to develop their skills and forge a future for themselves in management, program development or as Math teachers. Our students were warmly welcomed by the Sajhe Sapne team, who shared their stories of how they struggled to join this program.

Mohita, a young dentist who is involved in a research program on oral cancer has been joining our outreach team giving free dental check-ups. People in the more remote villages who have no immediate access to dentists are particularly happy to take up this free opportunity. It is a good reminder to talk about the importance of good oral hygiene and avoiding chewing tobacco.

We are delighted to welcome little Anku among the new batch of children who have just joined school this year and are now discovering our library and all the toys in our community centre. Anku is a child of special interest to Nishtha as we have been helping his mother take care of him in difficult circumstances since he was born. Its lovely to see how bright and healthy he is now!

Dr.Barbara welcomed Her Excellency the Austrian Ambassador and her husband when they visited our clinic and community centre last week. She was pleased to meet our Austrian civilian service volunteer who is doing a wonderful job on our organic farm. She talked with Ravindra about the girls training she was leading and to Vijay Bhadwaj who explained our machine which compresses plastic waste into building blocks. It was a mutually interesting and enjoyable visit.

What a fun group of girls from Rakkar school met for a three day workshop with our trainers Ravindra and Deepa! Though their excited voices frequently filled the air, they learned a great many valuable tips and tools with which to negotiate the difficulties faced by young modern village girls. This is the first of a series of empowerment workshops which will be held in our community centre this year.