Kids bring creativity, awareness to World Environment Day
Ganeshpuri, India— On June 5, the people of Ganeshpuri celebrated World Environment Day with activities organized by representatives from PRASAD Chikitsa, and from local schools and youth groups. At the Primary School of Ganeshpuri, enthusiastic children created drawings and Rangoli to express how trees benefit both people and the environment. Read more…
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Donor, Margareta Blix, is celebrating the life of her beloved late sister, Gudrun, with a grant of up to $20,000 that will provide a dollar-to-dollar match for new donations to PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program (PRASAD CDHP) received through October 31, 2010. Read more...
“Paddlers for Humanity” Open Ocean Paddle to benefit PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program
Sunday, September 5th
(rain date September 6th)
Save the Date & Register!
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The business of beauty—creative Self-Help Group fills market niche
This newest venture began when members of a Self-Help Group (SHG) from District Thane were discussing what type of skills they could develop for a small business or home-based activity that would generate income. The women identified the growing demand for beauty and cosmetology services, and seized on it as an ideal business opportunity.
Varsha Parchure, PRASAD’s Community Development Programs Manager, explained, “Nowadays, women are attending more social events and many women are working outside their homes. Thus, the demand for expert cosmetologists is increasing. In rural areas, women often must travel long distances to have their hair arranged and makeup applied.
More than 40 women applied for PRASAD’s first Beauty Parlor Program and 25 students were selected. Every one of them completed the 40-day course of theory and practical education in hairdressing, makeup application and other beauty techniques.
One of the program graduates, Mrs Sayali Patil, describes the experience in her own words: “The course will definitely provide me with the opportunity of 
employment. I am very thankful to PRASAD for giving me this opportunity and building my confidence.”
The Rotary Club of Thane helped to finance the program. PRASAD will help the graduates to start their own businesses, and some graduates are already offering beauty services such as eyebrow threading, hair styling, and mehandi (the application of henna as a temporary decoration on hands and feet).
Additional benefits of the program are that the women can work from home, making it easy to manage their other duties, and they can start with a small investment and expand business as needed. This enterprise is taking its place among PRASAD’s many initiatives that reflect our mission to foster community development among people of the Tansa Valley.