Jagriti International

Santa Barbara News-Press, January 26, 2002

Nonprofit group goes the extra mile

Foundation assists women around world

By RHONDA PARKS MANVILLE, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

In 1998, Michele "Mikki" Andina of Montecito asked a group of friends to join her in Nepal, to learn about the work of native women trying to improve the lives of people there.

Ms. Andina, a nurse and anthropologist, had helped advise women's groups around the world about health and development issues for years. Her friends were always fascinated by her ventures and joked of coming along in her suitcase. This time though, they packed their bags and joined her.

The women were so moved by what they learned and experienced in Nepal that when they returned they formed a nonprofit group, the Jagriti International. Designed to foster cultural exchanges among grassroots women's groups around the world, the organization also offers help to women's groups in need.

Today, at La Casa de Maria in Montecito, Jagriti International is celebrating its first anniversary, marking the occasion with a talk on Afghanistan, and interactive workshops.

"The intention is not to exploit these people and to make them sightseeing attractions, but to bring together women who can help other women further their cause," said Ms. Andina, the foundation's president. "Wherever I go around the world, I hear from women that they have specific needs, such as help with a brochure, or to create a Web site. This foundation tries to help meet those needs by providing support to local groups. The growth has to come from the bottom up."

But Jagriti International (the word means "awakening") also has a spiritual component that its members say can be life-changing, particularly for women from the West who go to developing countries.

"When you see what poor women can do for themselves, that they can create so much with so little, you look inside yourself to see what you need to be doing," said Ms. Andina.

The women in developing countries, on the other hand, derive great strength from the knowledge that women halfway around the world support their efforts.

"When you're sitting in India, and you know that a group of American women care about you and raised $1,000 at a bake sale, that means a lot," she said.

Santa Barbara resident Marni Cooney was among the foundation's 17 "founding friends" who made the trek to Nepal in 1998.

"The group that Mikki brought together was an international group, so I met some really interesting dynamic women," said Mrs. Cooney. "But the purpose of it was to meet with women's groups in these mountain villages accessible only by foot. It was so fascinating to see the simplicity of their lives and to find out that all the issues that women share are the same -- people trying to make a living, problems with men drinking, domestic violence. And I saw the great strength that women have in this world, and how typical it is. It just hasn't been acknowledged or appreciated enough yet."

At today's celebration, the morning session will focus on the rebuilding of Afghanistan, with a talk by Sima Wali, president of Refugee Women in Development. She is one of three Afghan women participating in the Afghanistan peace negotiations.

The day will also include interactive workshops to help women obtain creative inspiration through art, writing, movement and meditation.

"The purpose of the day is to help women awaken to their own inner strengths," said Ms. Andina. "Not everyone will be passionate about helping women in developing countries, but we at Jagriti believe that the important thing is that each person discover their own potential and their own passion, and that through that the world will become a better place. If a person is inspired to do the work locally, that is fantastic."

Jagriti International has several programs. One is a cultural exchange program in which women from the West work with a women's group in a developing country for six months. The foundation also seeks to bring women from developing nations to the United States and Europe to train for whatever skills they might need back home. A number of women's groups around the world are partners in Jagriti International for networking activities.

The foundation also has a travel program, in which men and women can go to Nepal, India and Pakistan to meet with various women's groups about their concerns and needs, and discuss how those needs can be addressed.

More information about Jagriti International can be found on the group's Web site, at www.jagriti-international.org. The event at La Casa de Maria is $100, half of which is tax-deductible. For information call 969-9092.