Celebration Of Empowerment

Change Maker: Centers
Change Maker: Centers
Ettimadai Center
“I learned how to solve a problem. Even for the smallest problem, I used
to think a lot. After attending this class, I feel like my problems are less
because what I recognize as a problem has changed.”
Since the course, Saraswati continues to participate and take an active role
in the center’s LEE in the Community activities.
Nisha Rameshan, a graduate from the 3rd batch, migrated to Tamil Nadu
from Kerala after getting married. Meeting people and making friends had
been difficult before. An active participant in the LEE activities, Nisha says,
“Now I have the confidence to talk with others. It’s important for us to get
to know others in the community; we have to help each other.”
Since completing the course Nisha has earned about Rs.10,000 (a portion
of which she’s invested in her own business for materials). While graduates
of the Ettimadai Center often visit the center every week to use the Internet
to find new designs, Nisha encouraged her husband to get an internet
connection installed at home.
Graduates of this WE Center continue to meet every month to plan LEE in
the Community activities as well as advance their repertoire of skills and
technique by researching online. The most active participants plan to forge
their skills and form an SHG group.
Meppadi and Mananthavady Centers
Alcoholism is the most salient issue in the district of Wayanad, an area where tribal communities are the majority and the abuse of alcohol has
spiraled into an increase in domestic violence and poverty. It is precisely why a majority of LEE activities in the Meppadi and Mananthavady
Centers have focused on raising awareness on the ill effects of alcohol.
The Great Debate
For the first time ever in the town of Meppadi, women and men were provided an open forum to discuss alcoholism, a problem that has
plagued this town for so long and deeply that a solution in sight hardly seems plausible. But the first step to solving any issue is of course
recognizing it as such.
In the debate, the women held their own against their male counterparts, undoubtedly strengthened by their debate experience while they
were students during the course. Shaji, one of the more outspoken husbands in attendance felt that the issue of alcoholism was too big to
solve. The women quipped back with several reasons and ways as to how and why alcoholism could be addressed, at least on an individual
and family level.
“Alcoholism, said Jayashree (a graduate from the 7th batch)
“has long been treated as something better left ignored. But it’s gotten out of hand.”
“We have to approach people with love and patience. That’s the only way. And we have to stop children from drinking before they even
start,”said Chitra, a graduate from batch 7 and one of the organizers of the community presentations.
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