IWD Update: Mumbai

**This week we'll be featuring stories from around our programmes showcasing their celebrations on International Women's Day 2010**

Mumbai

On the occasion of International Women’s Day the Standard Chartered Bank volunteers and the Goal Mumbai team organized a session on hygiene for the Goal girls from Hamara Foundation in Mumbai.

The event began with a round of introductions, wherein the participants and the SCB staff introduced themselves to each other. Soon after this, Vrushali (Goal Coach) shared information on how and why women’s Day was celebrated across the world. After this Pallavi (Goal Coach) recited a beautiful poem on a ‘Woman’, narrating her qualities and potential.

The poem was followed by a session by Ruzai , a Standard Chartered Bank staff volunteer on hygiene. She spoke on how and why it is important to groom oneself. Covering the various body parts, Ruzai spoke elaborately on hygiene and self grooming. She highlighted the fact that even though combing of hair and brushing of tooth is a daily activity, the important fact here is that one has to comb the hair at least twice a day and brush and rinse mouth thrice a day and preferably after major meals. Similarly Ruzai also mentioned the importance of washing cloths after every use in order to avoid infections and sweat related rashes. She spoke about the necessity of cutting nails on a regular basis which other wise may lead to various stomach infections, as we use our hands to eat and even cook food for ourselves and even our families.

Ruzai spoke at length about maintaining hygiene during menstruation. This is was extremely beneficial to the participants. She even spoke on the ill-effects of not maintaining self-hygiene. The participants actively listened to what Ruzai was saying and asked her many questions. As part of the grooming session, Manasi , Ruzai, Aparna and Anuradha distributed to each participant a small ‘grooming kit’ containing items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, nail cutter, comb etc. The girls were thrilled to receive the kit and promised to make proper use of it.

As part of the celebration, the Women staff from Hamara Foundation, their Social Worker and Tailoring Teacher who present at the session were felicitated by the SCB Volunteers. The event was wrapped up by distribution of delicious lunch boxes.

Ruzai , who facilitated the session on grooming, has to say:

“The visit to the Goal center was a welcome change from my daily Monday morning routine. The first thought that I had while in the room with the young girls was “Brimming with Energy”, the girls were very excited to see us, I believe that is so as we are the link to Standard Chartered Bank for them.

The most heartening aspect was that the volunteers ENCOURAGE ….the girls to empower and to educate themselves.

I am glad to be associated with Goal as it’s a commitment we make to ensure that a girl has a strong educational foundation, self esteem and values, and also help them plan how they can earn a steady livelihood as a step towards improving their standard of living.”