Hope Project Update – December 2023

Dear friends,
It’s a true joy to see the snowball effect our work has had in Nizamuddin Basti and our Trans-Yamuna communities. With every new person we reach, our visibility grows. In- creasing demand for health services, educational and livelihood opportunities could only be met due to your invaluable support and contribution on a regular basis. We thank you for accompanying us in the journey to build confidences and spread Hope among the beneficiaries.
Our creche has had to open a third group with its own teacher due to the growing demand. Most of these children are first generation learners. Many of the girls from our Non-formal-School pursue a higher education at the universities of Delhi and Uttar Pra- desh. Right now, 42 girls and 11 boys are enrolled at university after graduation from our school; two girls are going to classes for a law degree, having begun their schooling with Hope at level 1.
English language & personality develop- ment courses started end of October for students of the Non-Formal-School, vocational trainees, as well as youngsters from the communities. The aim is to further comprehension, reading-, writing- and speaking skills. Furthermore, the curriculum covers personality development, health and hygiene, leadership skills, public speaking and interview skills. The skills as well as the added confidence will assure the participants better career options.

A four-day TOT (Training of Trainers) was facilitated by the experts from Modicare Foundation on Adolescents’ Reproductive and Sexual Health. 16 staff members from Hope’s education, health and vocational skills participated in the workshop. The content included 10 core life skills, physical-, psychological- and social change during puberty, bullying and peer pressure, sexual abuse & the POCSO act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences), substance abuse and attraction to others. Myths and misconceptions related to sex and sexuality was emphasized with the objectives of developing know- ledge and correct information. Trained staff members will ensure institutionalization of the subjects in Hope’s overall education curriculum.

An effective cooperation with the Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Science of Jamia Millia Islamia University resulted in an event at Hope with 150 patients recei- ving treatment from doctors and interns. Together, the importance of physical activity and physiotherapy were relayed, specifically to patients suffering from ailments like osteoarthritis.

Delegates from Indian Bank (nationalized) visited the Hope Project and met with staff and students. Zonal Manager Mrs. Mamta Kumari had a motivational session with the students of Non-Formal-School, providing teaching & learning material for the stu- dents. The bank also generously donated medicine at our clinic. We are grateful and hopeful for a continued network.

Noorjahan, deserted by her husband and family, had been living under a bridge with multiple other homeless people. Our outreach workers know and visit regularly, literally reaching out and helping with Hope whenever possible. One of those workers found Noorjahan terribly weakened from severe menstrual bleeding lasting over two weeks. Alt- hough the clinic is just down the road, she had no strength to get there herself. Hope’s outreach worker helped her change and brought her to the clinic where she was seen by the medical director and treated at the clinic until the government hospital was able to see her. Terrifyingly, she was diagnosed with a tumor. After more visits and tests, she received curative surgery. Hope’s outreach workers took turns accompanying her, holding her hand and supporting her. Noorjahan is alive and well – we are so very glad!

At 18, Zainab was reluctant to pursue a college edu- cation after completing her 12th standard. Her father works a laborious day-job, her brother in a shop. Her mother works at home and her sister just finished 12th standard too. Zainab had a very specific dream. She joined Hope’s vocational training centre in Seelampur and enrolled in the Beauty Culture course. Zainab es- pecially enjoyed learning the art of Mehndi application (skin painting). Passionate about her profession, she Photo: Zanaib and her trainees was determined to start her own parlour, and did so in a room in the family home. She has gone so far as to become a teacher to other young women, currently she has eight students. Zainab has doubled her in- come within a remarkably short time frame, thus supporting herself and contributing to her family’s income. She is self-sufficient and empowered AND helping others to follow her lead.