Partners: Making A Difference In India (The Bhayali Project)
This is a partner spotlight with our two, latest partners, Ashay Social Group and Abhi Chal who have formed a SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) collaborative project called “Bhayali.” Liluye is very proud to feature the work that they’re doing.
This is the genesis of the Bhayali project:
Seema Khandale, Founder of the Ashay Social Group realized her dream in 2015 of obtaining her Masters in social work. She had already completed her Bachelors in Botany in 1994. Now she considers herself a social activist, though. Through her NGO, the Ashay Social Group, she combines her social work, and passion, with a vision and mission for environmental care through her advocacy work.
Mahima Rathore, Founder of Abhi Chal, started her mission six years ago. At Abhi Chal, she freely gives education and skills training to deprived girls and women. Through sheer determination, she proudly completed her post graduation, but can relate to how difficult it can be for a girl/woman to complete her studies.
Mahima works in both Ajmer and Jaipur to help directly beat poverty, uneducation, unemployment and hygiene challenges. There, she conducts several awareness camps, too, to help disadvantaged people to obtain their government documents so they can benefit from governmental programs.
“Bhayali” is the name of this project which shows a strong bond of sisterhood. The Bhayali motto is: to make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t need to be rich.. you just have to care!
It all started with a connection on Facebook Messenger, sharing their work, and then thinking, and planning a joint project, or the Bhayali project. The Bhayali project is a collaboration making reusable, sanitary pads which are 100% eco-friendly, and extremely affordable to everyone. It addresses the old, social stigma, and challenges, associated with menstrual hygiene management while offering an affordable way to mitigate the environmental challenges associated with the disposal of plastic, sanitary pads. The pads are made from organic cotton and don’t contain any chemicals or plastic, making it 100% eco-friendly and biodegradable. This venture is primarily aimed at deprived economic sectors, to provide them with free, eco-pads, as well as to provide them with education, awareness, and counseling on best menstruation practices.
The Ashay Social Group has been working on this since 2017, i.e., making cloth pads since it’s close to Seema’s heart. She has collaborated with many other groups, like the Rotary, in different places in India, and slowly and steadily, it’s moving forward, thanks to her hard work and commitment.
When Mahima, the Founder of Abhi Chal (in Ajmer) got connected with Seema, they planned to join hands and run the Bhayali project together, in Ajmer, and also at nearby places to there.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abhi Chal was providing food and other necessities to some marginalized communities, however, Mahima decided to start a new project called Chhapekari so that she could empower as many marginalized women as possible. Chhapekari provides hand block printing, embroidery, stitching, painting, and other training. They make products, such as face masks, different types of eco-friendly bags, home decor items, and even dresses. All their products are made of Khadi, or wool and silk.
Since Abhi Chal was already helping empower girls and women in different ways; and sewing training on sewing machines is one of them, the idea of sewing cloth pads, initially distributing them in the local area, and making them aware of this option, came into fruition. Slowly, thereafter, the work started.
Reaching Ajmer was the first step, teaching the girls how to sew the cloth pads came second. Then, there was no looking back. The girls enthusiastically started working with them. The initial target was to distribute these cloth pads, then let the women know how to use and take care of them.
Earlier this month, on day one in Ajmer, they taught the girls how to sew the cloth pads. On the second day, they reached the slum area near MDS University. Here the women were very pleased when they saw the cloth pads. They knew the drawbacks of the one-time use and throw away, plastic sanitary pads. This made it very easy for Seema and Mahima to convince the women to use eco, cloth pads instead. They were able to distribute 20 sets of cloth pads that day!
On the second day, they had planned to visit Kharwa. There, they were able to distribute an additional 30 sets of cloth pads to the local women, and also discuss the the importance of using sustainable menstruation options.
On the last day, the girls had more questions about sewing the cloth pads. They felt such great satisfaction to be spreading sustainable menstruation awareness and teaching these ambitious girls new skills, and to do it well, too.
Mahima and Seema are ready now to make more impact after this first, impactful visit. This initial visit started from their own pockets, but in the future, they plan to spread their wings and reach more and more places… to spread more awareness about these sustainable options. They need support, though, which they are hoping to get from their community, and beyond.
Their message is: “let’s join our hands, make our community hygienically safe, and indirectly save our environment for the future generations!” They pray for your wholehearted support for this noble cause.
Where to send funding for their work:
To fund the work of the Bhayali project, please email them directly: seemakhandale@gmail.com.
Visit the Ashay Social Group on the web: Ashay Social Group
Visit Abhi Chal on Facebook: Abhi Chal
Visit Chhapekari by Abhi Chal on Facebook: Chhapekari
For more information about Liluye or to inquire about becoming a partner, please visit www.liluye.org/contact. Or, if you are interested in donating to Liluye, please visit: www.liluye.org/donate.
Great Initiative.Keep it up.I am inspired to take up similar project at my village for the poor and needy .Will be glad to join in this noble cause.All the best to both Ms.Seema and Ms.Mahima and all associated with Bhayali..
Thank you very much for your support and comment. It’s appreciated.