Riportiamo qui l'ultima comunicazione giunta dal Nepal.

Riguarda il Centro di contatto nello Slum di Pokhara a cui è stato deciso di dare un nome più simbolicamente vicino al ruolo che, in modo sempre più efficace, sta svolgendo nel lavoro di presenza e aiuto nel luogo dove più critica è la situazione. La lettera viene riproposta qui in inglese con l'inserimento di sintetiche traduzioni.

Dear friends,

The house which is containing the Slum Contact-Centre is small. As a matter of fact it is consisting of one single room measuring eight square meters only. And yet, located in the centre of Pokhara's main slum it has become sort of a "Lighthouse" which is showing the right direction and a safer way for many of the female slum dwellers. It is for this reason that we decided to rename the "Slum-Contact-Centre" and call it the "Lighthouse".

Abbiamo deciso di dare un nuovo nome alla piccola casa che ospita lo "Slum contact-centre", in inglese il nuovo nome sarà "Lighthouse" o "casa della luce", per il ruolo di punto di riferimento che per molte ragazze sta assumendo questo luogo nelle loro vite.

The "Lighthouse" has developed into something far more that a "Contact-Centre" and the previous name does not give justice to all the activities and programs that are here taking place.

Mothers and daughters alike are seeking help, advice and counseling. Their participation too is good and it is trough their input that we were able to weave into the social fabric of this difficult environment and respond to the genuine needs of their inhabitants. sempre di più le madri e le figlie cercano il nostro aiuto e supporto

This is what our beneficiaries requested and what we are able to offer - queste le attività svolte alla Lighthouse

1.) Free distribution of contraceptives- distribuzione di contraccettivi

2.) Safe motherhood awareness-programs*- maternità consapevole

3.) Adolescent girls awareness programs and counseling*- aiuto alle adolescenti

4.) First Aid- Pronto soccorso e primo intervento

5.) Free distribution of certain medicines- distribuzione gratuita di medicinali

6.) EDU-Care (Education& Healthcare for children)- educazione alla salute

7.) Health Camps- campi sanitari

8.) Distribution of warm blankets and clothes - distribuzione biancheria e abiti

9.) Non formal education for adults- educazione non formale

10.) Referral service if needed- servizi di consultazione

*all these programs are including HIV/AIDS and sexual transmitted diseases awareness and prevention - a tutto ciò si aggiunge la prevenzione e l'informazione su HIV/AIDS

Adolescent-Girl-Groups:

Our social activist Sabina Acharya who is in charge of this project has formed 5 such groups comprising around 25 girls each. The participants are between 12 and 19 years of age. The main topics in the frequent meetings are of course about the problems that teen aged girls are facing in this difficult environment. Due to these meetings the girls have become confident; they opened up and are now able to talk about issues that are otherwise taboo in their society. Most of these issues are related to sexuality, early marriage and health issues. But discrimination, drugs and violence are frequent topics too.

La nostra volontaria Sabina ha formato 5 gruppi composti da 25 ragazze tra i 12 e i 19 anni di età che si incontrano con regolarità esi confrontano sui loro problemi

Talking about these issues is most important for these teen agers and in the process of these meetings they are becoming increasingly receptive and willing to change the patterns of their behavior. Individual counseling can than take place and solutions can be offered.

grazie a questi gruppi le ragazze diventano sempre più ricettive e aperte alla possibilità di cambiamento delle loro realtà

In this report we would like to tell you the story of one of the girls from the adolescent girls group and illuminate the difficulties these girls are facing and the difference we/you are able to make in their life.

ecco un esempio: Ujeli 15 anni, nata nel Bus-park slum viveva con un padre alcolista e violento che poi è morto. Rimasta con la madre ha vissuto tra grandi difficoltà che si sono acuite quando la madre si è ammalata. Una volta contattata da Sabina ha cominciato a frequentare i gruppi diventando sempre più attiva e consapevole, quando a causa della malattia della madre ha aggravato la situazione la famiglia di Ujeli è stata inserita nel programma di sostegno EDU-CARE

Ujeli BK 15 years old.

She was born and raised in Pokhara's main slum the so called "Bus-Park-Slum". Her father, a violent, abusive alcoholic never cared much about the family. He died a year ago from a liver disease. The mother worked hard to feed Ujeli and her two younger brothers but life was very difficult. Everything was lacking in their small makeshift shanty and they all were in a quite bad condition. When Sabina heard about the case she called Ujeli to the Contact Centre and gave her the first counseling. From this day on Ujeli frequently attended the group meetings and awareness classes. She changed her behavior, took better care of herself and started to take responsibility for her family. We provided healthcare, beds and blankets and the situation for the whole family improved.  Unfortunately the mother too has become quite ill and is no longer able to work full time. For this reason we included this family in our EDU-CARE program. We provide free education, clothes and healthcare moreover we are considering to  provide basic food stuff like rice, daal, potatoes and oil if this is necessary. Most importantly for them is the fact that they are not alone any longer; there is a place they can go to if they are in difficulty and there is a person they can trust, that will listen to them and offer advice.

Around 120 adolescent girls are benefitting in one way or another from our different programs and in this way we/you are able to make a difference in the life of many of the most vulnerable girls in Nepal.

Around the same number of mothers are benefitting from our various programs and this has a positive impact for the whole family, mother, father, daughters and sons alike.

Small things can make a big difference!

Circa 120 ragazze stanno ora beneficiando dei nostri programmi e questo vale naturalmente anche per le madri.

Piccole cose possono fare grandi differenze!!

Let us continue in this way!!!