Roshan

April 2, 2009 | No comments

Roshan

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Roshan Nair, born in Dubai and educated in Texas, is teamed with the Adarshila Learning Centre, outside of Sedhwa, Madhya Pradesh. Founded in June, 1998, Adarshila Learning Centre is an innovative school for Adivasi (tribal) children in Madhya Pradesh, India. Founders Amit and Jayashree Bhatnagar titled it “learning centre” to get away from the rigid, didactic stereotype of mainstream schools in India. Their school is far more flexible, with a curriculum that combines academics, world issues, practical skills, and cultural heritage with a lot of fun.

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Pulin

April 2, 2009 | No comments

Pulin

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Pulin Thakker, from Illinois, is based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, working with Aajeevika Bureau. Aajeevika Bureau arose in response to a study on rural livelihoods in Rajasthan that found that short-term migration is rapidly replacing agriculture as the primary source of income for many families, particularly those in poor, predominantly tribal areas.  According to the study, migration is no longer primarily a response in times of drought and distress, but a regular livelihood strategy for the rural poor. Aajeevika Bureau came in to existence to provide services including registration and identity cards that allow migrants to get bank accounts and build community in their new homes. Aajeevika works with the migrants both in their home villages in Rajasthan, as well as in the cities to which they migrate.

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Meghana & Aysha

April 2, 2009 | No comments

Meghana & Aysha

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[Meghana]


Aysha Asifuddin and Meghana Limaye, both from New Jersey, are partnered with Halo Medical Foundation (HMF) outside of Andur, Maharastra, a small village 40 km from Solapur. Although each is addressing a separate problem in the course of their fellowship, they share contacts, co-workers, and - for the first few months of their fellowship - a small bedroom in HMF’s rural hospital outside of Andur.

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[Aysha]

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Neha

April 2, 2009 | No comments

Neha

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Neha Mistry, from Maryland, arrived in the desolate Bhal region of Gujarat to work with Mahiti, a social service organization focused on local issues including income generation, savings, social justice, and water harvesting. In this coastal area, high saline levels make the soil exceptionally infertile, which contributes to keeping the local Dalit population in an unbreakable cycle of debt and poverty. Most families sustain themselves through animal husbandry, supported by the remittances of migrant workers in nearby cities.  Mahiti has worked towards helping its community achieve fiscal independence by creating 238 women’s savings and credit cooperatives that serve over 6000 local women.

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Tina

April 2, 2009 | No comments

Tina

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Tina Mann, from Aldergrove, British Columbia, works with Halo Medical Foundation (HMF) in Solapur, Maharastra. In Maharastra, one of India’s wealthiest states, the lack of trained doctors has contributed to more than 60% of state deaths. HMF, originated in the 1980s by a group of young medical students, has attempted to improve medical education and address women’s health issues by training community health workers, forming self-help groups (SHGs), and drafting womens’ health interventions.

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