Community Peer educators, Youth Leaders from Chandreshwar Nagar, Kali Ki Dhal, Mayakund Regions of Block Doiwala, District Dehradun and Kharasharot, Block Narendra Nagar of Tehri Garhwal District & some of Parmarth Gurukul’s Rishikumars successfully completed first Phase of the Prayasapna LifeSkills Education Training, organized by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, in partnership with UNFPA India at Parmarth Niketan Ashram from 9-11th August, 2021.
Trained GIWA team members and community mobilisers have been working for the last 5 months with adolescents and young people in these communities, which are some of the most impoverished in the region, to impart Life Skills Education, nurturing them with critical competencies which help them to adapt to the changing reality and challenges of the world that they live in.
Having completed a training in late July with GIWA’s Master Trainers, 5-10 of core Peer Educators came forward to train the rest of the Peer Educators in a second part of the training held in mid-August with a total of 35 participants.
The training was interactive, dynamic & transformative. It was filled with fun activities based on the Prayasapna Model that facilitated engaging dialogues, empowered youth to identify their dreams, understand their obstacles, limitations and develop strategies and support systems to strive for their aspirations.
In addition to the full day of training, the first ever residential training for young people in these regions imparted a holistic experience of peace, health and spirituality with morning havan, evening Ganga Aarti as well as inspiring video messages by GIWA’s Founder Pujya Swami Chidananad Saraswati ji & Secretary General Pujya Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati ji. Yoga and meditation sessions as well as introductory talks on holistic health in body, mind and spirit encouraged them to strive to work on their own health and well-being first and then their families and their community.
This training also included nature walks and clean up activity that was designed to help inculcate the value and importance of protecting and preserving their sacred environment, a core value that GIWA works towards, especially as these young people live along the banks of Mother Ganga in the lap of the Himalayas.
There was also a special cultural programme to help children open up & know more about each other. The three day workshop ended on a high note as the bonds formed during the training encouraged and motivated these young leaders to truly be the change they want to see in their communities.
