ABC OF LIFE – ALWAYS BE CAREFUL

A joint project for the ‘Joy of Giving Week’

by the students, teachers, volunteers and

social workers of Mankhurd – 1,

Mankhurd - 2 & Mankhurd – Alex centers

of the Akanksha Foundation.

STEP 1 - FEEL Students at these centers are already exposed to a large scale

abuse and domestic violence due to the fact that they belong to the illiterate and economically backward sections of the society.

They were slum dwellers who have been recently rehabilitated by the State Government to their current dwelling in Mankhurd, Mumbai.

There are instances in our class where mothers and sisters of a few students undergo great stress due to persistent exploitation.

Hence, an intense feeling of frustration and sadness already exists among them. It is also added by the pain and hurt which is caused by the constant clashes with the earlier settlers in the same area who do not want to share the essential resources that are scarce.

STEP 2 - IMAGINE We imagined a world where:

women are treated with dignity; where the rights of women are recognised; where women are happy & peaceful; where women of the weaker section of the

society rise up and speak against their exploitation and

where children develop a sense of discrimination which would help in protecting themselves from unscrupulous elements.

SUKH SHANTI

WHAT IS ‘SUKH SHANTI’? Sukh Shanti is a short stay home for women and major

girls in distress and who are victims of unscrupulous elements.

It is run by the Association for Social Health in India, which is recognised and funded by the Central Social Welfare.

Sukh Shanti was inaugurated in 1976 with the movement of recognising the issues of women, particularly the ones in distress.

It counsels these girls/ women, gets information from them, and helps in tracing their friends or relatives. It also runs a remedial class and has a 24 hours toll free contact number – 10920.

WHY WE CHOSE SUKH SHANTI? Girls and women become victims due to :

the impulsive actions taken by them or the dire circumstances which made them take extreme

decisions.

Since we deal with children, some of them in their adolescence, we thought an awareness can be created in them on : the implications of wrong actions the importance of keeping good company the need to respect and love one’s family and the existence of such shelters which counsel and give

emotional support as and when the need arises.

Hence, we decided to take these students to Sukh Shanti in order to sensitise them by listening to the first hand bitter experiences of these inmates which brought them to this home and also to inspire them by showing them the manner in which these women have begun a new chapter in life in a positive way.

STEP 3 - DO

The teachers and children discussed as to how best can we make the inmates happy.

The children decided to bring cheer through active interaction with the inmates.

The children also took a decision of giving up their daily allowance of Re. 1 or .50 paise to buy gifts for them .

A few children had already collected some money by selling eco-friendly craft items like paper bags, envelopes and greeting cards.

A total amount of Rs. 2700 was collected.

GOING OUT We decided to take the

children to a Home cum Training Centre for women ‘ Sukh Shanti’ at Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, on September 27, 2010.

Nearly 65 students, a few teachers, volunteers and social workers took part in this activity. We boarded the bus and reached the home at noon.

STEP 4 - ORGANISE

After a brief introduction the students and the inmates had a heart to heart chat.

The Superintendent, Ms. Rajashree, gave a thought provoking speech.

A few inmates then spoke on their bitter experiences that forced them to come to this home and advised the children to remember the ‘ABC of Life – Always Be Careful’.

Students distributed dress pieces and sweets to their new friends as a small token of love.

STEP 4 - ORGANISE

HOW WE WERE CHANGED Each one of us had some take away.

Babli felt that one should love the family and not run away from home.

Tayyeb felt that the men who beat women should be punished.

Fareen said that she would give the helpline numbers to many of her acquaintances who suffered in the hands of bad men.

Children were impressed by the determination of Nikita, an inmate, who is an excellent football player and aspires to play for India in future.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED The first call from our

center was made on October 16, 2010!

Sanjana, a student, advised her mother to approach Sukh Shanti by dialing their toll-free women number – 10920.

For Sanjana, the Home, was a dream come true. Now her mother can come out of her depression by contacting the Counsellers whenever the need arises.

THANK YOU!!