Vacations and Exposure: Exploring Ranthambore National Park (26th to 28th Mar’18) & Udaipur (23rd to 31st Mar’18)

The children and staff of Udayan Ghar for Girls, Ghaziabad got an amazing opportunity to visit Udaipur in Rajasthan, also known as ‘Venice of the East’ or ‘City of Lakes’ from 23rd to 31st Mar’ 18. Our long time volunteers, Ms. Gabriela & Ms. Sandra (from Germany) made this trip possible.

Simultaneously, 87 children from 12 Udayan Ghars, and 10 staff members experienced nature up close on a 2-day trip to Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan. Adidas, Apax Foundation, and our very own Trustee, Ms. Meera Sawhny funded the trip and fueled our young explorers.

Such trips ensure a time where the children and staff members can bond with each other, helping them realize the importance of togetherness and cooperation, while gaining knowledge as well as inculcating the spirit of leadership and team work thus, contributing to their holistic growth.

Sharing, training and creating better caregivers among us: an opportunity to train and learn

As part of its mission to create better caregivers in the Alternative Care space, Udayan Care conducted a 3-Day Training Programme, in Ganjam, Odisha. Facilitated by the Catholic Relief Services,  from 27th to 29 March 2018, the objective of the workshop was to upskill and train CWC members, DCPOs, chief functionaries of Child Care Institutions and staff members of CRS on different models of “Alternative Care” as described in the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act 2015, Model Juvenile Justice Rules 2016 and Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of the Children, CARA Guidelines 2017 & Foster Care Guidelines 2015 and, “Individual Care Plan” & “Social Investigation Report”.

Importance of understanding challenging behaviors by Social Workers: A 3-Day Mental Health Training Programme from 22nd to 24th Mar’18

It is imperative for anyone working with OHC (Out of Home Care) children to understand why such children have challenging behaviors at times, and how to address these. Ms. Helen Lenga, Psychologist & Trainer in Trauma & attachment (Australia), focused on “Loss & Grief- Working with Challenging Behavior and the Impact of Working with Trauma on Staff” and trained the mentor parents, social workers, counselors and other programme officials of all the 14 Udayan Ghars.

Strengthening our Shalinis with Self Defense & Martial Arts classes

While aiding higher education for girls from weaker sections of the society is the thrust of Udayan Shalini Fellowship Programme, great emphasis is laid on developing their leadership and life skills too. As the dangers of everyday life have increased, Shalinis of our three chapters out of 16 in Hyderabad, Kolkata & Mumbai were exposed to the much-needed awareness of Martial Arts and Self-defense tactics.

Pranita Batch 1 confronts the issue by saying, “In Today's time, where crimes against women are at an all-time high, it is important that we remain well versed with the techniques of self-defense.”

Celebrating womanhood: Shalinis with Genpact on International Women’s Day

On Women’s day, the Gurugram Shalinis got the opportunity to learn and interact with a team from Genpact, who conducted a session on important agendas like legalities around sexual harassment at work place by High Court lawyers and Self Defense by the Gurugram Police. Joining in later, the Genpact leaders inspired and motivated the Shalinis by sharing their own journeys.

This was followed by a quick interaction with Dr. Manjusha Gogra, head of medical affairs for northern region, Apollo life, aiming to break the taboos around menstrual hygiene and look beyond the myths. The session was concluded with distribution of sanitary pads empowering the shalinis to embrace their womanhood.

Shivani, Batch-4 felt assured as she expresses, “I can now tackle any untoward situation, if it happens, as I learnt the tactics from Kalia Sir. And, I will also keep a pepper spray in my bag while I move out of my house.”