DRISHTI - RITINJALI’S RAJASTHAN PROJECT

Ritinjali’s Rajasthan project ,Drishti, demonstrates that an effective life skills education in the school system will produce a generation of adults capable of making informed and responsible decisions reagrding their own health and risk behaviour. Drishti is a school based awarness generating programme among adolescents with regard to Sexual and Reproductive Health through a comprehensive “life skills” programme for teacher educators” using a curriculum developed by Ritinjali. Drishti is aimed at empowering the adolescents , the parents, the teachers and the entire community to enhance the overall quality of life of these target groups by helping them learn to make better choices. The programme trained teachers in life skills education to equip adolescents with the knowledge,attitudes and skills they need to promote healthy living.The aim was to build the life skills of the teachers and simultaneously prepare them to build life skills among the students of the community in which they worked to create a chain effect. Drishti provided a systematic approach to life skills education through three main components of health: (1) Mental and Emotional Health, which included Self Image/ Self Esteem, Emotions and Experiences,and Coping with Stress.(2)Social Health,which included Relationships,Friendship,Decision Making,Communication Skills,Refuse Strategies & Conflict Resolution and (3) Physical Health, which included Smoking, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Puberty and Body Changes, Male and Female Reproductive System and Hygiene. Besides, Drishti also covered two other important aspects of Life Skills: (1) Reproductive diseases, which included HIV/AIDS & STDs and (2) Gender and Sexuality, which included gender roles and sterotype, patriarchy, sexuality and marriage. It is indeed encouraging to report that there has been a perceptible change in the knowledge and understanding on issues related to young people’s reproductive and sexual health.We have been able to create a space for talking/dialoguing between teachers/parents and young people on issues considered taboo,especially concerning sexuality, gender roles & stereotypes,puberty & growing up ,reproductive health,HIV/AIDS & STDs.

Ritinjali is always looking for helping hands to create a world where everybody gets equal opportunities. If you wish to spare some of your valuable time in teaching someone some valuable lessons in life. E-mail us at ritinjali@ritinjali.org or call 011-26789072.