One of the projects that WWD has been working on over the last months has been Grants Pen Wellness Program for Women, which I like to call WOW! (Women of Wellness). Here is a synopsis on that initiative to keep you up to date. Wellness for Women Project in Grants Pen (WOW) Women for Wellbeing and Development (WWD) in collaboration with Shakti Fitness Centre, Rescue, AMCHAM and other agencies associated with community development in Grants Pen, started a wellness program for the women of Grants Pen in order to encourage and empower them to be leaders of wellness in their community. After various setbacks in the area we got off to a start in late September 2007. Initially, we had conducted regular biweekly sessions with the women, which upon review, has more recently been changed to weekly sessions. A very important part of offering wellness programs to the women has been to create enjoyable programs that bring about a sense of community where the participants can get to know each other in a safe and friendly environment. Mothers being the nurturers and peacemakers can also influence their children and partners to have healthier relations with all. Some of the programs we have enjoyed over the last few months together have been: · Baking · Nutrition and health · Aerobics/dance · Yoga · Discussions and sharing on emotional wellness and interpersonal relations · Gender issues · Stress management · Relaxation · Trips to Castleton Gardens · Distribution of gifts for the holidays Currently, we are reviewing and reassessing the effectiveness of the program and working on streamlining it. Initially, we had planned for a one year program, we now see that more time is needed. As the current program continues, we are putting together a project proposal which will further enhance what we have started. The basic objective is to further refine and develop the project, based on the needs and desires of the women that address wellness on all levels from the physical, emotional, mental, creative, social, economic and spiritual levels. Each area of wellness will further be divided into programs for example: · Physical - will attend to fitness, nutrition, personal hygiene, medical assessments, HIV etc · Emotional - will look at how we relate with ourselves, others and how we can develop tools to deal with our emotions in a healthy way and help others · Social wellness will address such things as conflict resolution, gender issues, leadership skills etc. · Economic wellness will address how women can be economically more independent and the program will help them to start small business cooperatives based on things that they are good at and love to do; financial management etc This continuing program aims to last for two years and serve 20 -30 women in the Grants Pen community. Being an organic process, there are naturally things that will emerge as the program develops. When the women feel empowered to lead in the areas of wellness in their communities they will be able to influence other members in a positive way. We hope that this program will not only lead to greater wellness in Grants Pen, but will also serve as a model that can benefit other communities across the island.
Didi Ananda Ragamaya
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... Ananda Marga ... |
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