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16 Days of Activism to stop violence against Women – 2024

16 Days of Activism to stop violence against Women – 2024

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From 25th November to 7th December 2024, Soroptimist International observed 16 days of Activism. On 9th December, SI Poona members in collaboration with Gandhian Studies at the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) took the initiative to organize a lecture for the ladies who work as househelp and stay near NIN on Tadiwala road. Dr Naina Athayle offered to deliver a lecture in one of the classrooms at NIN. The topics selected were divided in 3 phases, viz. empowerment of women, legal, health and education among women. The time decided was 6 pm. The ladies were first taken around the campus of NIN, and specially to the Gandhi Bhavan. At around 6:40 Dr Naina began the lecture and put light on topics of the legal rights of the ladies, tackling day to day issues, and also gave them tips to address their issues in the court
Report of a visit to Ushatai Lokhande Charitable Trust Schools (ULCTS) Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Kawthe Malkapur and Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Wablewadi

Report of a visit to Ushatai Lokhande Charitable Trust Schools (ULCTS) Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Kawthe Malkapur and Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Wablewadi

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The visit to ULCTS, Madhyamik Vidyalaya (Malkapur and Wablewadi) was arranged by Mrs. Ranajana Taskar on 29th Feb 2024. This was undertaken on the request of our guest, Mrs. Nandini Sonthalia, partner of Maths Yes We Can LLP; members accompanying Mrs. Nandini Santhali were Mrs. Ranjana Taskar, Mrs. Kulsum Lookmanjee and Mrs. Malika Siamwalla. Further, Mrs. Nandini was felicitated with a shawl by the Principal, staff, and members of SI Poona. Soroptimist International (SI) Poona had implemented the “Maths Yes We Can” project in the ULCTS for the academic year 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. In the academic year 2022-23, the project was implemented to 43 students of VIII and 30 students of IX of both schools, and it was completely funded by “Maths Yes We Can” LLP. In the academic year 2023-24, this project is implemented to 45 students of VIII a standard of both the
Workshop on Communication Held at NIN

Workshop on Communication Held at NIN

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Presenter: Hazeka H Ginwala Mode: Offline National Institute Of Naturopathy Day and Date: Thursday 18 January 2024 Duration: 2 Hours  The workshop was held at NIN, President of the club Dr Naina Athawle invited Hazeka H Ginwala to conduct a Soft Skill workshop on the topic of Communication. It was conducted as a part of program of Soroptimist Internation Club Poona. The duration of the workshop was 2 hours. The participants were a part of a workshop on Acupressure of age group from 25-40 years. They came from all over India. The session began by formally introducing Ms. Hazeka H Ginwala and a token of appreciation was presented. The workshop began with an ice breaker session to introduce them to the topic of Communication. The workshop aimed at improving their skills in communication which will help them in enhancing their entrepreneur skills. The workshop covered 10 slides along with some interactive games and sessions to understand the topic
Progress Report of girls receiving scholarship under Soroptimist

Progress Report of girls receiving scholarship under Soroptimist

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Educational Program - ‘LET ME BLOOM’ (2022 - 23) [A] Names of students who were awarded scholarships in 2021 and now have completed /completing their education in 2022. Trupti More - Passed B.A. with 60.62% and now doing job at ‘Solitair Lab’. She is getting salary of Rs.15,000 p.m. Vidya Darekar - Passed B.Tech. (ENTC) with 72% from VIT college. Presently working at “Michelin India Technology’ at Kharadi and getting salary of Rs.40,000/-. Her father died of Covid last year. Sejal Savant – Appearing for Final BCS. (Computer Science) examination. Secured 8.1. percentile last year. [B] Names of students continuing their education. Ratika Madage - Passed B.Com. with 82%. Has taken admission for M.Com. Passed CS (Company Secretary) second year with 55% . Now studying for final CS examination. Nishad Pathan - Passed First year Arts with 84% and presently studying in 2nd year at
Let Me Bloom

Let Me Bloom

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Education Project Education Sponsorship for girls who are physically / economically challenged, with no support and role model for guidance Started in 1993, this Key Project gained momentum year on year. Apart from books, stationery, tuitions and career guidance support, girls from Std. XI onwards are guided through aptitude studies either to acquire a degree or do a vocational course which guarantees employment. We are happy to report that today each and every girl whose life we touched, is economically powered and gainfully employed - be it Pratibha Aveshkar who despite being visually challenged is now an Asst. Manager in a Bank, or Sapna Tandale who joined Syndicate Bank as a Probationary Office after successful completion of a Computer Course for the visually challenged. Number of girls supported so far are roughly 150. One of them has a successful career as a Lawyer, some are
Sustaining Mental Well Being

Sustaining Mental Well Being

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Started: May 2021 Why? Mental health is one of the most critical areas that defines our sense of overall well-being. Unlike other physical illnesses, this is often more “invisible” and is often a taboo to acknowledge and discuss..In India, there are 3,16,95,958 cases reported. Many more are unreported . Women suffer more from this then men. There is a need to build awareness around this and provide a supportive eco-system to handle this. What? SI Poona organized a series of Awareness Building Workshops on Mental Well-being both from a generic perspective plus from COVID impact.This was done in collaboration with NCN. The webinars were addressed to Colleges and NGO forums. The framework used was the 3 Fold RE and A Model: Rehabilitate, Restore and Rejuvenate The focus of the webinars was on self care through using breath,resilience and adapting to the change in the environment.
COVID Relief

COVID Relief

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Started: April 2021 Lending a Hand Why? The second wave of COVID pandemic impacted India hugely. Due to Lockdown, economic activities were highly curtailed. Underprivileged communities especially women and children were impacted the most. What? SI Poona provided Financial Support plus Food and Health support during the COVID Pandemic. Food grains, lentils, oil, sugar, onions and other essentials were distributed in two slum localities in Pune. The recipients were mostly women, wives of daily wage construction workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the countrywide lockdown in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis. SI Pune members also helped the onion farmers, who grow this crop widely in this region sell their produce. They have been unable to transport them to the city markets, due to the lockdown. Each recipient in the slum was given two kilograms of onions, directly bought from the
Fistulf of Grain

Fistulf of Grain

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Food Security Instilling values of Sharing and Caring Initially SI Poona started the project with indivdual contributons from members. Grains and sugar were bought by members and the collection was donated to old age home. Later cash collected from members was used to buy pulses and sugar and donated to an orphanage in Sangise village. In April 2017, SI Poona started the NASI project "Fistful of Grain" at the Kalmadi High School in Aundh Pune, with 90 school children from Class 5th and 6th. Cloth bags, specially prepared for the project, were given to the children. This initiative aims at instilling the values os sharing, caring and prevention of food wastage among students. By donating grains to the less priviliged, students were able to empathise with the hardship of the children in NGOs and are exposed to an altogether different phenomenon that sensitises them towards
Girl Child Safety

Girl Child Safety

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Girl Child Empowerment & Safety Toolkit Towards a brighter future for Women..! A workshop on 'Safety & Empowerment' was conducted for tribal girl children in Plaghar district of Maharashtra. The purpose was to make girls understand safety and empowerment issues and involve them in their own protection and devise personal strategies to deal with violence against them. The workshop covered elements of self defence, cyber safety, awareness building and advocacy. This is part of an ongoing 2 year project which aims to cover social workers, teacher, parents and many more girl children. This Project Addresses UN SDG GOAL
Health Awareness Medical Camp

Health Awareness Medical Camp

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Halthcare Small steps towards a Healthy World..! SI Poona conducts ongoing Awareness programmes on 'Anemia' prevention of rural women and young girls. Haemoglobin testing is carried out for them along with Pap smear testin collaboration with FPAI (Family Planning Association of India). Medical checkups are done for school children. The very recent conducted was health awareness cum medical camp at Ambavet - a small village on the outskirts of Pune, largely inhabited by a backward, illiterate gypsy community. 29 children in the age group of 1 to 12 years and 13 adults were benefitted. Blood tets and HB counts showed Anemia in these children who were prescribed and given medication. A session on personal hygiene and nutrition was also conducted for the villagers supported by FPAI, along with distribution of clothes and food items generously donated by well wishers. This Project Addresses UN SDG GOAL