Project Pavitra - experiences from Rajkot
Last month end, I went to Rajkot for weather change to get sinuses cleared up. While I was there, I thought of calling a small meeting of friends and inviting them to be part of our new project, Project - Pavitra. The project talks about Menstrual health, hygiene and happiness in adolescent girls. Hence, it is very close to my heart. If I had got such education while in school, my whole perception would have been different at that time.
So, we called a meeting. To my surprise, a bunch of 15 enthusiastic, super cool ladies, all Govt. of India Certified Yoga Instructors, attended and loved the concept. They immediately vouched to be the change makers, to take this knowledge to every possible girl in and around Rajkot. We definitely agree on the need of such projects but we need someone to take initiative, that was my learning from the meeting.
Inspired by the cause, a volunteer arranged the first workshop at Matrushri Mirambika Girls' High School. Around 120 girls of grade 9 were attending it. We could hardly hear any girl talk about Menstruation openly on the first day. Some of them kept looking on the floor while we were talking about it. Few others chose to just look at us with no expression on their faces! It was a little scary for me. It was my first workshop in Gujarat and I had no idea, how the crowd was taking us. Our team somehow managed to finish day one. We taught the second day as we had to.
On the last day, we called few participants to share their experiences. We were awestruck hearing what they had to say. Those girls, who would refuse to listen to us properly, were sharing the knowledge that we imparted over those 3 days, mentioning their own difficulties during that time and saying how they felt at ease with themselves with just a few minutes of meditation in class with us. They did not hesitate sharing the fact that no one had given them such in depth knowledge covering almost all aspects of female health care.
We kept on conducting the workshops and there was more demand for the same. The second school was Shri Kanta Stri Vikas Gruh, where around 100 girls of grade 8 participated. Anjaniben and team made girls feel so comfortable that they started opening up from day 2 itself. Simhar school was next in line where again Anjaniben and team did wonders. It was amazing to see how the girls would open up in just three days. Nothing less than a miracle!
On fourth such occasion, we met Dr. Vadodaria, the visionary educationalist who founded the Panchashil school. He not only resonated well with our feeling that this knowledge is the need of the time, but also added, "You are doing a Maha Yagna. Whatsoever Ahuti I can add to make it successful, I am all available." His encouraging words of wisdom made us feel very special.
Kriya shakti along with Ichcha Shakti is the secret to success. Our volunteer friends showed the same. Be it Mayuri's unstoppable approaches to the schools, Rupa's energetic Yoga, Madhuben's soothing meditations, Anjaniben's sweet teaching style, Nayanaben's initiatives, Anjuben's constant support, Varshaben and Neetaben's attention to details or Pooja's inspiring speech; it all added to make it one of the unforgettable experiences of life.
Not only girls enjoyed and learnt but we - the team of Project Pavitra, learnt a lot from them in this process. It reinforced our faith in what we are doing, that yes, this is the need of the time. We need to reach out to every possible adolescent girl in this country.
Indeed, it was a great month of launching Project Pavitra in Gujarat. Not only we managed to impart this education to nearly 400 girls in 4 schools but also inspired 24 ladies from Rajkot to join this group of change makers. Manjuben organized the first ever Training for Trainers for Pavitra in Gujarati at her home. It was beautiful facilitating the training. We definitely need more trainers. If you are a female reading this, getting inspired to be one of our trainers, kindly write your interest in the comment. We will get back to you.
Few glimpses of our workshops in Rajkot
So, we called a meeting. To my surprise, a bunch of 15 enthusiastic, super cool ladies, all Govt. of India Certified Yoga Instructors, attended and loved the concept. They immediately vouched to be the change makers, to take this knowledge to every possible girl in and around Rajkot. We definitely agree on the need of such projects but we need someone to take initiative, that was my learning from the meeting.
Inspired by the cause, a volunteer arranged the first workshop at Matrushri Mirambika Girls' High School. Around 120 girls of grade 9 were attending it. We could hardly hear any girl talk about Menstruation openly on the first day. Some of them kept looking on the floor while we were talking about it. Few others chose to just look at us with no expression on their faces! It was a little scary for me. It was my first workshop in Gujarat and I had no idea, how the crowd was taking us. Our team somehow managed to finish day one. We taught the second day as we had to.
On the last day, we called few participants to share their experiences. We were awestruck hearing what they had to say. Those girls, who would refuse to listen to us properly, were sharing the knowledge that we imparted over those 3 days, mentioning their own difficulties during that time and saying how they felt at ease with themselves with just a few minutes of meditation in class with us. They did not hesitate sharing the fact that no one had given them such in depth knowledge covering almost all aspects of female health care.
We kept on conducting the workshops and there was more demand for the same. The second school was Shri Kanta Stri Vikas Gruh, where around 100 girls of grade 8 participated. Anjaniben and team made girls feel so comfortable that they started opening up from day 2 itself. Simhar school was next in line where again Anjaniben and team did wonders. It was amazing to see how the girls would open up in just three days. Nothing less than a miracle!
On fourth such occasion, we met Dr. Vadodaria, the visionary educationalist who founded the Panchashil school. He not only resonated well with our feeling that this knowledge is the need of the time, but also added, "You are doing a Maha Yagna. Whatsoever Ahuti I can add to make it successful, I am all available." His encouraging words of wisdom made us feel very special.
Kriya shakti along with Ichcha Shakti is the secret to success. Our volunteer friends showed the same. Be it Mayuri's unstoppable approaches to the schools, Rupa's energetic Yoga, Madhuben's soothing meditations, Anjaniben's sweet teaching style, Nayanaben's initiatives, Anjuben's constant support, Varshaben and Neetaben's attention to details or Pooja's inspiring speech; it all added to make it one of the unforgettable experiences of life.
Not only girls enjoyed and learnt but we - the team of Project Pavitra, learnt a lot from them in this process. It reinforced our faith in what we are doing, that yes, this is the need of the time. We need to reach out to every possible adolescent girl in this country.
Indeed, it was a great month of launching Project Pavitra in Gujarat. Not only we managed to impart this education to nearly 400 girls in 4 schools but also inspired 24 ladies from Rajkot to join this group of change makers. Manjuben organized the first ever Training for Trainers for Pavitra in Gujarati at her home. It was beautiful facilitating the training. We definitely need more trainers. If you are a female reading this, getting inspired to be one of our trainers, kindly write your interest in the comment. We will get back to you.
Few glimpses of our workshops in Rajkot
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