Celebration Of Empowerment

Stories of Change
Stories of Change
Renjini
Meppadi Center
“In my family my dad used to come home drunk and hurt my mother, and was verbally abusive. My dad didn’t bring home any money; it all
went to drinking alcohol. There was a point where he even threatened to sell me to pay for his alcohol habit. Every day in LEE, we used to
share our views and experiences. I got the courage to share this with my students only by coming to this course. In my locality women make
alcohol like arrack and they used to sell it. I wish that the people in my place could get the same awareness we got in the class.”
Renjini and the other young graduates of the Meppadi WE Training Center did just that and conducted an alcohol awareness class in the rural
interior of their own Tribal Colony, Karakulli. What was impressive about this initiative was not just that the youngsters managed to bring
awareness to their community on an issue that was so controversial, but that they managed to gather together, in one place, individuals on
both sides of the issue. As the session came to a close, the graduates asked for feedback. The community suggested the young organizers
repeat the same but in a much larger venue, where they can share their fabric painted work as well as spread awareness and break the silence
on this important issue.
Renjini demonstrated incredible strength in overcoming her personal struggles, using the knowledge she gained through the LEE courses, and
the network of support from fellow WE participants to challenge the norms around her.
Renjini Meppadi
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