A few months ago the HELP International team was introduced to the NGO known as SAPID/HEAL. This organization is run by 6 incredible women: Mira, Urmi, Jody, Mary, Bindu, and Vacenta. These women work primarily in the slums located outside of Balaji Nagar. Their main goal is to implement programs to help improve the quality of life among the poorest of India.
One of the programs that I have the opportunity to be involved in is the women's health education classes. Many of the women have never been to a formal school. As a result, many do not know the basics of health education. For instance, a large portion of the women that attended the health education classes did not know that cramps were normal! Overall, the classes have been very successful and the women continue to attend regularly. However, I must say that there were several large hurdles that Julie and I encountered. One of the hurdles is that women's health is a taboo subject here in India. It took several classes before the women felt comfortable enough to share personal experiences and ask questions. I am excited to see how the women's health group develops over the next few weeks.
This is Bindu, my favorite SAPID worker.
- She has a heart that is 65% damaged.
- She lost her husband 3 years ago to a brain embolism.
- She works 6x's a week.
- She works from 9 to 6.
- She never complains.
- She has 2 children.
- She wakes up every morning to clean her house before she goes to work.
- She stays up late cooking for her family.
- She says she is a "body builder"
- She planned and arranged her son's wedding by herself!
- She is one AMAZING person.
