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)
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SHG Motivator Learns to Fight for Justice
Pranali Patil, a Motivator for 11 SHGs, was helping members of a new group to open a bank account when the thief took the money right off the bank counter. When she reported the theft, the bank staff doubted her story. As a trained Motivator, Pranali gives organizational support to SHGs. She also used her new-found confidence and communication skills to resolve this crisis. When it was over, she visited PRASAD’s offices, eager to tell her story.
When Pranali arrived at the PRASAD office, she began by saying, “I am very thankful to PRASAD. I just want to try to do everything which will help women to develop their capacities.” Varsha Parchure, who directs PRASAD’s Community Development programs, listened as Pranali reported what had happened:
Today I went to the bank to open an account for a new Self-Help Group (SHG.). While I was filling out the forms and talking with the teller, the man standing behind me took the money off the counter. When I told this to the teller and the bank manager, they told me that I did not bring the money. I was so upset, and the group members who came with me were scared, as that was the group’s money. I reported the theft at the police station. I explained that I am working as motivator in PRASAD and asked them to help me as that money belongs to poor and needy women. They brought the man to the police station where he confessed that he had taken the money and passed it to another man. The police helped me recover the money and I went back to the bank manager. I showed him the money and told him that I felt very badly that he did not believe me. I also explained to him that, ‘We are helping these women through SHGs and you should co-operate with them.’ He apologized, and the women were so glad to get their money back. I am so happy today. I don’t know from where this strength comes. The whole credit goes to PRASAD as they have given me the inspiration to go forward for a good cause.
A busy, 28-year-old mother of two, Pranali explained why she made time to grasp the donor-supported opportunities that PRASAD offers: If one person changes, then she can change others, but somebody has to take that first step, said Pranali. “PRASAD’s Motivator Program helped me to become that ‘somebody’ by teaching me and the other motivators how to develop communications skills and the confidence to use them on behalf of our communities.”