Youth Leadership with Mental Health Justice Residential Camp 2019

It was fantastic to see our youth from Kolegaon and Bamanwada coming together yet again for another leadership training based on the module created by Deepa Pawar! This year the training was focused on Mental Empowerment and Development.

Through this 2 day camp, through games and activities the youth explored their mental health by working on their personal and social development. We really appreciate the support of Mariwala Health Initiative in making this camp possible, and for creating a positive space of development for our youth.

Some Quotes from the camp:
"I feel like I was separate from everyone. I started thinking and the first answer that came to me given from society is caste. Why could not we all have the same identity such as Indian. My identity till now has been given by people including friends who think I am useless. But I have to create my identity."

"First identity is given from father, even though mother keeps us in her womb for 9 months I feel her identity should be part of mine. I will have to fight for my identity because no one is going to give it to me."

(After a game) "I can’t fill or tie balloons and could understand how those people must be feeling who don’t have particular skills but thrown into the competition, they are not weak but are made to feel weak. Hence the need reservations are clear."

"When group is in majority, it is possible that they take the wrong decision based on someone’s identity."

"Savitribai worked alone but the power of her work has brought together such a massive movement so she most certainly did not remain alone. We should now work to thus organize further."