Jagriti Newsletter December 2002

Awakenings
December 2002

In this issue:

My Journey to Afghanistan

Afghan Women's Groups

Bridging Worlds Volunteers in Nepal, November 2002

Fall and Winter Work Study Students

Public Speakers Available Through Jagriti International

Holiday Shopping For Jagriti International

December 2002

Bridging Worlds Volunteers in Nepal, November 2002

by Jordan Thompson

Volunteering is something I have always loved to do, but once I entered college I seemed to have limited free time. In June of 2002 I graduated, and I began considering what I should do with my newly acquired time. Around this point, I became aware of Jagriti International, and the possibility of traveling and working with women's groups was more than appealing. It was not long before things fell into place, and I was on my way to be a Bridging Worlds Volunteer in Nepal.

In November 2002, my friend Sarah and I arrived to each work with different women's organizations. It was arranged that I would work with a group called WATCH (Women Acting Together For Change). Initially, I was a bit anxious of how I could cross over the language barrier, and where I could really offer my help. However, I quickly realized that WATCH was a perfect match for me. They are an incredible organization, with extremely devoted people working for them. WATCH works with women and the disadvantaged to help empower them and bring them into the process of development versus being the objects of development. By offering these people information, guidance and monetary support, they are truly raising these women's self-confidence. I was able to go to one of WATCH's field sites for several days, and saw and participated first hand in activities that are empowering women. The village was extremely poor and backwards, but WATCH has helped to form women's federations, literacy groups, savings and credit groups. We also went to the school to teach people how to test their water. The entire experience was incredible. In fact, even in the office when I am doing editing, working with sex workers, sitting in on meetings or whatever, my experiences have been equally wonderful. I feel that I am learning as much, if not more from the people I am working with as I am offering them. The only thing I would change would be to extend the amount of time I am volunteering in Nepal.

by Sarah Harding

My experience as a Bridging Worlds 1 volunteer in Nepal has been very inspirational. I live with the president of Nari Chetna Kendra Nepal (Womens's Awareness Center Nepal -- WACN) and her family. So I feel like I am able to get a very realistic idea of what it is like to be a woman here in Nepal. I am amazed at how many restrictions a woman faces within her community and her own home. Yet all the women who I come in contact with thorough WACN seem very strong and confident in their work and as individuals despite these restrictions. I work downstairs in their office with three other women, mostly editing case studies, proposals and letters. I am truly amazed how this organization, with so little resources, has benefited so many women. Their savings and credit cooperatives make it easy for women to save and borrow money that is often inaccessible to them without a very high interest rate or a large collateral. With this opportunity they buy livestock or start their own small businesses, which gives them the income they need to repay the loans and support their families. It also gives them the knowledge and courage to manage their own finances and make their own decisions with out their husbands. Moreover, WACN works at the grassroots level so I feel like they are helping the women who are most in need. This then improves their whole community.

The one thing that really took me awhile to adapt to was the way the office is run. There is not always a lot for me to do so I felt uncomfortable not doing anything, which is innate from the work ethic on the U.S. However, I quickly learned that it was okay and almost normal to not work like a mad woman everyday. Overall, I have enjoyed simply talking with the women in the office and spending time trying to teach each other our customs and language. Most of the time we often end up just laughing at each other from the strange differences within our lives yet knowing that we still share so many things by being women. The only thing that I would have changed with this Bridging Worlds experience would be the length of my stay. Five weeks is just not long enough --it is flying by so quickly, though I am happy to have the opportunity and now know for next time.