By Dr. Ashok Dyalchand | Director
Ashavini is from a very small village (hamlet) Malewadi, which has merely 125 households and a total population of 625. Both her parents have only 4 years of schooling and work as agricultural labourers. Her three siblings have not completed schooling either.
Ashavini attended Life Skills Education (LSE) organised by Institute of Health Management Pachod (IHMP), in her village, in 2016. She was so captivated by LSE, she continued attending subsequent courses for the next two years. She was selected as a peer leader by the other girls. Ashavini organised a Girl’s Collective in her village, which took out rallies and organized a street play on the importance of education for girls.
Recently, when interviewed by a journalist, Ashavini said, “I learnt many things in LSE; about the rights of adolescent girls and women, importance of education in a girl’s life, importance of iron rich food. I also learnt several art and craft. I learnt about the functioning of a bank, post-office and other institutions. I am able to deal with the local bank independently. I learnt about my body, importance of menstrual hygiene, how to cope with sexual harassment, etc. I acquired communication and negotiation skills. After attending LSE I felt much more confident in myself and my abilities. The greatest change that occurred in me was an obsession to study further. I could negotiate with my parents because of improved self–esteem and communication skills, which I acquired from LSE. I convinced them to allow me to finish schooling and go to college for higher education”.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Ashavini’s school teacher gave her the job of an assistant teacher in her village school. She plans to complete her graduate studies in commerce in a nearby town.
Ashavini says, “LSE encouraged me to dream and aspire for higher education. I have a dream of becoming an officer in a bank”.
Over the last 25 years about 100,000 girls have attended Life Skills Education organised by IHMP in their villages. Ashavini’s testimony reflects how LSE has transformed their lives.
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