The ‘SELF’ program stands for Self Exploring, Leading and Fostering. ‘SELF’ is specifically designed for girls who are tagged as ‘runaways’ and are under the court protection. The girls are living in shelter homes, or Nari Niketans, waiting for their release when they turn eighteen years of age. The idea of ‘SELF’ is enabling and empowering the girl by enhancing their ability to deal with the challenges of life after leaving the shelter homes.
Currently, SACHETAN is working with a group of girls at Observation Home of Nari Niketan, Kota in a pilot program. The home is run by Social justice and Empowerment Department.We are focusing on educating the girls on several core capacity building objectives which include:
- Providing and enhancing literacy (in Hindi and English) and numeracy skills;
- Promoting awareness of issues including health, hygiene, nutrition, maternal and child care, responsible parenthood, family welfare and HIV-AIDS;
- Teaching crucial life skills to allow students to gain a better understanding of self;
- Introducing self- healing practices like prayers, meditation, and yoga;
- Enhancing girls’ understandings of the social environment which impacts their lives;
- Training and equipping girls with vocational and creative opportunities to broaden their livelihood options.
In addition to the continuous literacy sessions, we have conducted several other activities with the girls at Balika Grah:
- Celebration of National Sports Day
- Body movement and Folk Dance Workshop
- Menstrual Hygiene Management (Assessment Phase)
- Personal Hygiene and Care through natural methods
- Poster making event on ‘eve-teasing against girls in rural settings’
- Interaction with Student Volunteers
- Origami Workshop