Whether you get stuck in 2 hours of unforeseen traffic, or the NGO is not prepared to put a group of 20 to work, as we experienced on the first day, or, as I have been experiencing on my own, traveling in a large group is not as easy as I thought it would be, the idea that things never work out the way you plan, in India, or at least within my experience here, this statement has never been more true.
The very last class before we came to India, we were asked to begin brainstorming to prepare an educational program to present when we met with Aastha Parivar, a local NGO which offers services predominantly to commercial sex workers. Aastha Parivar does outreach work including HIV/AIDS prevention and a social entrepreneurial arm which sells make-up, perfume and incense made by the women. We prepared a three-part program to provide the women served by Aastha Parivar with information topics we were told carry certain stigma within their community, as well as within India on the whole, and which are applicable to their lives – menstruation, menopause and breast cancer.
On Wednesday, our whole group was split between two sites affiliated with Aastha Parivar and our half of the group was dropped off at the Women's Welfare Society, a peer education outreach organization. The women with whom we were meeting turned out to be the executive board of the Women's Welfare Society, many of whom may be current or former sex workers, as well as nurses and administrative staff of the organization. Our group was prepared with the diagrams, scripted outline and materials for an interactive activity, and began as planned. The language barrier was eased by two of our group members fluent in Hindi and a staff member of the organization who all three served as translators.
We got about 5 minutes in, and couldn't help but notice the bored expressions on the women's faces. Finally one spoke up, informing us that they had already had training on menstruation.
Let me just say that this situation has the potential to be a health promotion student's worst nightmare. Although we were attempting to present this vital information in, what we thought would be, a new format for these women, they were adamant – this was old news. We had not had the opportunity to do any kind of needs assessment, and were only afforded a few short conversations with Samhita staff, and had not even met the women to whom we presented until that day. Ok, good. Now what? We didn't really have the time or resources to prepare a Plan B. After a moment of regrouping, it was suggested that we go ahead and present our information as planned, and give the women, based on trainings they have had and information thy disseminate during they peer outreach, an opportunity to share anything we might have left out, or alternative ways to talk about this information in which they feel are more effective withing the community they serve. This turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for an exchange of information and a mutually beneficial learning experience.
Breast cancer is an emerging health issue in India and at first, the women did not seem entirely convinced that they needed to know the information, but as soon as we asked if anyone had a relative or friend diagnosed with cancer, they all saw that it impacts far more people than they realized. One of the women herself had recently had a biopsy taken of a suspicious lump. After those conversations, the women opened up, asked questions and became much more receptive. They were very intrigued by the idea of self examination, and generally about preventive measures. Apparently, even though many were aware of it, there is not much in the way of literature or health education training on breast cancer. From the session, we offered to create some materials for the Women's Welfare Society – either a pamphlet or a training manual – on breast cancer which they can disseminate to their peers. They were very excited about this, and I think we all left on a little lady-power high.
It was amazing to meet these women who are working to make a difference and empowered other women so incredibly marginalized by society. I can only imagine what it must be like for them, whether or not they themselves are sex workers, knowing that the information and opportunities they provide has the potential to save, or at the very least, change the lives of other women. I was so incredibly inspired. I see myself doing very similar outreach work in the future; a plan which, hopefully works out, and can allow me to make a similar impact on others.
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