Reduce Gender Based Violence in Urban Communities

Dear Maitri Friend, 

We are so proud to share with you some of the ways our community youth group has become a catalyst for change.  For a long time, we have been working hard to bring them together, to give them a sense of belonging - to make them aware of their collective strength.  At first, they were speculative of our initiative but have each gradually opened up to the idea of joining hands, learning together, and taking steps to care for their community. 

It gives us a great joy to see this group mature and begin to take action.  In one of the meetings, the group raised concerns about the nearby park.  It had become a dumpster, breeding mosquitos and producing a foul smell.  It made impossible for the children to play there.  And it was definitely a threat to public health. 

On the 24th of July, the youth group came together with brooms, shallow pans, and spades to clean it.  Even the little ones came to help.  This encouraged a few men from the community to lend their helping hand. 

At the end, the youth group was able to achieve what they aimed for – a clean park  – despite the challenges that arose. The welder who came to install the gate couldn’t find an outlet!  Thankfully, a woman from the community offered to let him use her connection and he was able to successfully install, securing the park.  Some people from the community raised objections to the gate, but the youth group was able to convince them that it’s in everyone’s best interest. 

Moving forward, Maitri will supply the youth group with tall tree saplings to plant in the edges of the park.  The youth group will continue to keep the park clean.  It was a great experience for the group to work as a team.  Seeing their enthusiasm, people from the community came forward to help and motivate them, and two new boys joined the youth group as members. 

We hope the group continues to become agents of change!