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Circle Point Activities
Children’s Bank The Bachat Bank is a children’s bank attached to Balsena, but it is open to all children associated with the Community Education Centres, municipal schools and the Circle Points. The members are given a sealed box and a registration card. Tthe minimum saving is Rs. 5 per week and the weekly amount is registered on the child’s card and by Shaishav. The money is deposited in a regular bank account in the name of Balsena. By December 2005, 251 children have saved about Rs. 54,918. The savings are money given by parents or by children’s earnings and pocket expenses. The Bank was set up to encourage independent decision making regarding money spending among children. The concept of quality time management and wise utilisation of resources is also included in the savings program. Shaishav wants to expand and regularise the bank and to enable the children to manage it independently in the long run.
Adolescent Girls Programme Discrimination against girls is a rampant problem throughout India, so we felt it important to develop an Adolescent Girls programme to empower young girls and educate them on their reproductive health. The programme has three main components:
Kishori Mandal In order to focus specially on the issues of the girl child, Shaishav has created a Kishori Mandal (Adolescent Girls’ Club) for girls in Balsena. The mandal is linked to the Girls International Forum (GIF), an international network of adolescent girls based in the United States. It is divided into 5 different community areas, and a core team of girls covers each area. This group meets monthly with woman mentors to discuss issues facing girls and to try to find solutions to them. These girls then go back to their various communities and hold independent meetings to spread the information to other girls.
Wenlido Introduction As we all know, violence against women is an ever present and growing phenomenon. Women and young girls continue to be subjected to violence in many forms- molestation or so called ‘eve teasing’, rape, sexual harassment in public roads, buses, trains, colleges, workplace as well as at home. In addition young girls are even more vulnerable to abuse, with several cases of incest and child sex abuse coming to light. There are very few support structures and resources for women facing violence, which makes it even more difficult for young girls to get access to information and ask for help in case they are living in danger. While many women’s groups and networks have been involved in consciousness raising, campaigns, struggles and various activities with the ultimate goal of stopping violence against women; empowering initiatives that enhance personal –safety skills also play a significant role in dealing with violence.
What is Wenlido? ‘Wenlido’ translates as ‘women’s path of strength’. It helps girls and women to connect with their strength, overturning centuries of conditioning which convinces women that they are the ‘weaker sex’. As much as learning techniques of physical self-defense, Wenlido training involves the evolution of a girls and women from a passive victim into a strong capable individual who can control her own life.
The whole workshop is planned in a feminist perspective and not only deals with physical safety but mental and emotional safety. In the workshops not only girls/women learn to protect themselves, but they also learn how to recognize potentially dangerous situations early on, how to respond verbally effectively when harassed, become aware of personal boundaries, problem solve together on how to stay safe and get out of (inner) victim mode. It is very important and powerful tool for empowerment of women and girls because it gives the physical, verbal, and non-verbal methods of self defense.
The two days Wenlido basic workshop uses methods like role-plays, discussions, breath as a tool, de-escalation strategies as well as learning practical self-defense techniques to survive violent, physical attacks. Intensive discussion in a very warm and safe environment on stereotypes, rape, domestic violence etc. helps the women de-learn about the typical concepts and roles and pick up the new way of thinking. Avoidance is also an important strategy of personal safety. A space and time is provided where women can ask any questions and clarifies their doubts. In short the two days become the premises to create a new, positive and strong self image for the women.
One of the founders of Shaishav, Parul Sheth, took a Wenlido training in order to learn how women can defend themselves. Parul, along with another Shaishav team member, Nilam Jadav, took the training and decided to also become trained to be trainers through the TOT (Training Of Trainers). After successfully completing the TOT, Parul and Nilam gave basic workshops to female team members and female family members of Shaishav. From this and their interaction with adolescent girls, they discovered the need for Wenlido and also that adolescent girls need the training as much as women do. As a result of their efforts, Gitta Ridder, who is the pioneer of spreading this concept of Wenlido in Canada, Germany, France, and India, came from Canada in November 05.
From October 2005-December 2005, eight basic workshops were successfully completed around the state of Gujarat by Parul and assisted by Nilam. As a result of these workshops, 25 women were selected to take part in the TOT process. At the end of three phases, which took place from December 2005-February 2006, eleven women successfully received a white ribbon, one woman received a green ribbon, and one woman received the brown ribbon. The certificate starts with white, then green, then brown, and finally purple. Also, three brand new curriculums were created for adolescent girls of the following age groups- 7-11 years, 11-14 years, and 15-19 years. Additionally, there was a Gujarat level network created to join together all trainers and created a support system. This network was then connected with the national and international Wenlido network. Parul Sheth is the convener of the Gujarat network.
Kishori Mela Kishori Melas are an all day event for adolescent girls. Adolescent girls face physical, mental, and emotional changes. In order to address these changes and make sure that girls stay healthy and understand their development, a series of topics are covered. During the Kishori Melas, topics covering sex education, puberty, gender sensitization, and a brief introduction to Wenlido will be conducted. These are done through PowerPoint presentations, films, posters, and other interactive activities. Each Kishori Mela can have around 100 girls in attendance.
At the end of the day, the adolescent girl’s parents are invited to come for a short parent meeting. During the parent meeting, the topics discussed during the Melas are explained, along with the rationale as to why the topics are covered. At this time, parents can raise concerns or ask questions.
Children’s Initiated Activities Children initiated activities are a central part of Balsena. The Balsena Council organises a monthly Maitri Shibir (Friendship camp) which is a four hours event. The camps are held in any private school which has a Balsena team and usually about 200-250 participate. Each event has a theme, for instance “friendship” with books or with the environment. The Balsena Council also organises Sunday Programs like excursions, study tours, quiz competitions and festival celebrations. In addition, each Balsena team has a monthly meeting and organises a programme independently. Each team creates a monthly bulletin board that summaries activities and posts information.
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Registered Office : SHAISHAV- A/21, Ajanta Com.Centre, 2nd Floor, Near Income Tax, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380014 |
The Shaishav team alternates 
