Doug and Rowena recently traveled to India, visiting our 14 centres and working alongside our teams in Kotdwara, Bijnor, and Punjab, near the Pakistani border. It was a fast-paced and fulfilling working holiday. We are grateful for the incredible experience and relieved to be back home, safe and healthy …with no Delhi Belly, phew!
Some highlights from our trip included:
SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conference: We hosted our second conference in Zira, Punjab, with 400 delegates attending.
Connecting with Students: Meeting new students and seeing kids we’ve watched grow over the years was a joy.
Community Engagement: Speaking with parents and village elders about the importance of education provided valuable insights into their concerns and hopes for their children.
Team Meetings: Delivering staff meetings helped us understand what’s important to our team, allowing us to purchase much-needed resources. We also delivered valuable sessions on child and staff safeguarding to ensure for policy compliance.
Leadership Development: We worked alongside our key leaders, encouraging, listening, coaching and planning together
Child Advocacy Programs: We implemented three programs in the three cities of Kotdwara, Bijnor and Zira, with a new initiative that excited us. These meetings brought together staff, parents, educators, lawyers, anti-human trafficking police, and NGOs. In Kotdwara, students from our Disability Centre performed a heart-warming dance, and in Zira, our student Ashish shared about his health struggles with haemophilia. I (Doug) spoke about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and emphasised the need for collaboration to respond to future critical incidents like natural disasters and extreme weather events.
Strategic Planning: The trip also allowed us to observe and evaluate projects, discuss strategies, and make plans for the future while reconnecting with cherished friends and meeting many new people.
There is so much more to share, and we look forward to updating you on our vision and stories in the coming weeks.
As we reflect on our journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our friends and supporters who uplift and empower our mission in India. Your unwavering commitment and generosity play a crucial role in our success, enabling us to make a tangible difference in the lives of many. Together, we are building a brighter future for the children and communities we serve. Thank you for believing in our work and being an essential part of this journey.
