Aside from all the fun stuff I got to do in India, I also was given the honour of getting involved with a charity called Green Tara, a completely inspiring experience with a story that I will never forget.
Green Tara is a women's empowerment project that works with adolescent girls living in the slum areas around Pune in India. The foundation was founded by Dr Manda Mune, who believes that these girls are an important part of society as future mothers, therefore it is incredibly important to invest in these teenage girls by building and improving their capacities so that they can stand independently and face the future. She teaches this age group as they are impressionable and willing to learn, whereas older women already have set values on how they should be treated by men and do not want to change, and accept when a man beats them etc.
When we had the opportunity to meet Dr Mune, the woman behind this fantastic organisation she told us her inspiring story. Dr Mune came from a poor background, living in the slums, but got a scholarship and an opportunity to go to school and be educated as a doctor. On becoming a doctor she could afford to move out of the slums and live a life of wealth. However she didn't feel satisfied with these materialistic possessions, therefore she gave it all up, moved back to the slums and set up Green Tara. Dr Mune's story truly inspired me, and really illustrates her selflessness and genuine care for others.
Dr Mune told us that she wants to educate adolescent girls on their rights and boost their self confidence. Dr Mune brings the girls of Green Tara to visit the police office so that the girls do not associate the police with only criminals, but to see the police as a refuge for victims, therefore they feel comfortable going to the police if they are the victims of domestic abuse.
Dr Mune has also a contract with the bank that allows the girls to set up an account at zero rupees, therefore when they earn money they have somewhere to put it, rather than it going into the pockets of their fathers or husbands where the girls have no say over what it will go towards. These bank accounts are uncommon for women in India, as it is generally the men who deal with the money (and spend it on what they please), therefore setting up these accounts helps the girls become self sufficient. Green Tara foundation provides girls with practical skills such as sewing classes, computer classes, reproductive health classes (something that is not part of the school curriculum in India) and self defense.
This organisation is one that is a complete inspiration to me and I feel so honoured to have been able to have been a part of it for a short time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBEfVNd19Bw
A video of our time at Green Tara!
Vicky x
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