Learning to Live Together, a resource material to nurture ethical values needed to learn to live together in plural societies, is now available for teachers and youth leaders.  Read more ...

Name: Aswathi 
Age: 17 years
Nationality: India


How long have you been with GNRC and what got you involved with it?

I have involved with GNRC since 2008.  I had initiated my project “Unite Against AIDS” and as part of the activities, I presented it at the “Ethics promotion campaign” held in Shanthi ashram. I was introduced to various peace builders at the campaign.  This sparked my interest in GNRC, as I was in search of a channel for community service. Hence I joined GNRC, fascinated by its ideals

Which experience with the Arigatou Foundation that motivates you the most to work for children?

The GNRC’s ideals and aims.  I really liked the prospect of involving youth in community activities. Another thing that struck me about GNRC is its idea to build bridges between various groups thus inspiring the quality of equality and unity.  The GNRC also gave me a path to channel my efforts for community welfare.  It gave me a chance to interact with various peace builders across the world thus inspiring me to work for the better. 
 
What are the challenges that you find in your efforts as a peace builder?

As a peace builder I do face challenges in my work.  Firstly, I found it difficult to gain the trust of the children with HIV.  Secondly only a small number of people were willing to spend time and effort on my project.  These were the initial challenges but slowly people realized my efforts.  I have been very lucky in having a supporting environment both at home and at school.  All the challenges I have faced have taught me to persevere against the odds.

Do you have a message for other youth out there?

My message for the youth is that we have been gifted with strength, vigor and youth.  Some of us have been blessed with health, wealth and loving families and societies.  But there are also people who do not enjoy the blessings we have.  The world is our family.  None of us want to see our family suffer.  So we have to work against the odds, for such others and this should be our prime motive.  There is no joy such as giving.  Every religion speaks of this.  Love the world and work towards betterment

What activities have you done to bring the message of Learning to Live Together manual with GNRC in your regions?
 

In India one of the major social problems is AIDS.  Apart from suffering the disease, people with AIDS are also subjected to stigma and discrimination.  This is especially true of children who are not treated equally in all places such as schools, neighbourhoods and even hospitals.  Hence I decided to take up the eradication of stigma agaist HIV infected and affected children.  Moreover I wanted other youth like me to participate in community work for the welfare of such children.  This was the main purpose of my project and the activities are listed below:


I) As my project involved youth participation, I began addressing school students; I presented my project there speaking about the problems faced by HIV infected and affected and possible solutions.

ii) In order to eradicate discrimination, I also took a few such children with AIDS to interact with students.  They shared their experiences in schools.  By this effort I also sought to increase the confidence of children suffering from AIDS and motivated them.

iii) In this venture, I covered about ten schools reaching out to more than 2000 children.

iv) As a part of resource mobilization, I did not want students to contribute in money.  Instead I asked students to donate their used and unused storybooks, toys, games etc.

v) I received enormous response and students contributed a huge number of books.  Hence I set up a library specially for HIV infected and affected children in Coimbatore.

vi) My project was also lauded by the media hence donors from many places contributed too.  As a result,12 children suffering from AIDS were granted free education including books and uniforms.

vii) I discussed these issues with many professionals including doctors, social workers and our district collector.

viii) I have created a students' forum “unite against AIDS” with 2000 students working to serve the community.

ix) I also interact with HIV infected and affected children by teaching them drawing, dancing and spoken English.

The Learning to Live Together toolkit has helped me undertake these activities successfully.