Using the skills they learned during their recent training at Shaishav in Gujart Vijay and Ravindra held a 2 day adolescent empowerment and safety training with 15 boys from classes 4, 5 & 6 from the local government schools. They introduced the meaning of sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual exploitation of children. They discussed violence that happens to children in school, home, playgrounds, buses and public places and what provisions the government has made to protect children in our country. We talked about how to set boundaries and to say “No”. They know now how to make safe decisions and to ask for help and make healthy friendships.
It was challenging for the trainers who needed to switch activities frequently to retain the interest of the boys who had huge amounts of energy! However, they did retain much of what was covered and had a very good time!

After the Diwali break the children are back at school and are enthusiastically joining our after school program. Two of our students, Shalini and Kanishka are leading tuition for those who need help with their school work. They also guide and encourage reading, creative activities and plenty of sports now the weather is fine.

Winter is coming and the seeds for next spring have to be sown now so we are re-making the greenhouse. We lifted the frame and situated it in a more sunny place, used green screen netting to protect the lower four feet while allowing for ventilation and have re-covered the whole with plastic sheeting which can be let down to conserve heat at night and in the coldest weeks. We are looking forward to lots of fresh salad this year!

Yes, its that time of year again when everybody happily gets down to cleaning, repairing and painting the Clinic and Community Centre in preparation for the festival of Diwali which this year falls on October 25th.

To celebrate the festival of Dussehra, Rakkar Social and Environment Club, supported by the village Panchayat were delighted to present a short version of the traditional Ramayana story on Rakkar playground. A group of Nishtha students sang a traditional song to introduce the program and then the children who had practiced hard for the past week put on a really great performance to the delight of the gathered crowd.

Dr. Barbara dropped in on the well attended students meeting held this Sunday in the clinic reception area – every space is being used these days! It was wonderful to see Puja back teaching English and giving the students so much priceless encouragement to make the very best of their opportunities.

Dr. Shreya returned to work with Nishtha last month. It is lovely to see how well she has slotted back in, working with patients, leading the outreach health education and visiting the special needs patients in the villages. Her special interest in mental health is of very great value and complements the physiotherapy work Dimple has done.

The first of 5 follow up workshops for teenage girls sponsored by SMILE-de was held on a last Sunday in torrential rain. 19 girls who have now had not only the initial health education session but also a 3 day Wenlido training were enthusiastic participants. They were all very confident and responsive and reported that they are happily using the cloth pads we gave them and following Vijay’s advice regarding the internet. Dr. Shreya who re-joined our team this month, was impressed at how well they remembered what they had learned from the doctors in the first session and focused this time on the importance of eating healthy food. They also discussed the vital topic of taking care of your mental health by sharing rather than repressing.

As the monsoon continues, 8-10 children come every day to learn to use the computer and also to join Ankush in his repertoire of interesting indoor games. Here they are playing Truth or Dare, quoits, hula hoop and they even built an obstacle course around the community centre hall.

Ankush’s week:
I used to come to Nishtha when I was at school to learn how to use the computer. Now, I am happy to be helping these children to open their minds to a better future. This week I was alone in the Community Centre because the others were attending a training. I really enjoyed organising interesting activities and it was fun getting to know each other better and thinking up new games each day.