In Rajasthan one of our most recent projects involves supporting and working in a village which is empowering local village women through learning and maintaining traditional sewing skills. We are helping to support local arts and crafts which are in danger of being lost as more and more handicrafts are being taken over by mass produced machine made products. This particular area of Rajasthan is renowned for its unique designs and craftsmanship, which without such projects would become lost. The aim of Volunteering for India is to keep these skills alive as well as providing the local village women with a sustainable future through regular income from the work they produce. We aim to do this by continued support and by placing volunteers who have the necessary skills. It is very often the case that when Mother's are taught a skill they come to learn the value of an independent income which they in turn pass on to their own children.
In Gujarat - Akaash Ganga provides accommodation. food, clothing and medical care for children in order for them to attend school. Without it, they who would not otherwise be able to do so. Several of the children are from the nearby salt pans where they work for up to 12 hours a day. With little food and shelter from the sun, the conditions are extremely harsh and relentless. Most of these children do not attend school and so they were encouraged to come into Akaash Ganga.
Soon after our involvement, we realised that without learning a skill on leaving school, their lives would not really improve. So we have recently been working on converting some of their old existing buildings into teaching spaces/workshops to provide vocational training for the older children including some of the village children.
The first one to be completed was the sewing workshop which opened on the 15th November 2009. Several village girls and girls from Akaash Ganga have already been taught sewing skills and the work is hopefully to continue.
In Bhuj, Gujarat in January 2001 a massive earthquake not only destroyed many homes and caused a huge loss of life, it also shattered the local hospital.
Through the determination and drive of a local paediatrician together with the help and support of many others work was started to rebuild something from the surrounding chaos. With this renewed vigour, drive and determination a new school for children with learning difficulties literally rose from the ashes.
Their mission statement recognises that all children are individuals regardless of their disability and respects their individual needs. The school fosters a caring environment and encourages children to enhance their potential for holistic development. They also work towards achieving total inclusion of these children at all levels in society. The children they work with are hearing impaired, mentally challenged or suffer from cerebral palsy. The aim of Volunteering for India is to support the work of the school. We aim to do this by fundraising and donations. We are presently raising funds for an audiometer which will considerably enhance the lives of the children with hearing difficulties.
To see how this school has already progressed in a relatively short space of time click on the name below.
