Leeds RAG is the official fundraising society for Leeds University Union. They are a student led, student orientated society who run fund raising activities alone and in collaboration with other societies. They organise events raising money and awareness for both national and international charities, with opportunities to volunteer abroad or within England. The events are choreographed to test your limits whilst contributing to great causes (plus if you’re intent on building a great CV it’ll look great on those future job applications). Membership for Leeds RAG is £10 for one year, or £25 for three years. As we are nearing the end of RAG week, we thought we would join in the awareness campaign and call attention to this incredible opportunity that Leeds RAG are organising.
This year, Leeds RAG is organising a trip to India in collaboration with the Snehalaya Project. The Project was “founded in 1989 to provide support for women, children and LGBT communities, who have been affected by HIV and AIDS, trafficking, sexual violence, and poverty.” They are based in Ahmednagar, a town in the agricultural region of Maharashtra, India and “provide services to over 15,000 beneficiaries annually.” Their Mission Statement is one of utmost importance and relevance to Her Campus – as a group of women supporting women, this charity speaks to our hearts in its aim to: “provide rescue, rights and rehabilitative services to the communities in most need. To offer a safe exit point to women and their children trapped in the crippling cycle of poverty and abuse.” While poverty and abuse are extant throughout the world, the statistics in India are truly shocking:
- In India, 93 women are raped every day
- An estimated 135,000 children are trafficked every year
- Over 120,000 women a year will suffer domestic violence
- 2.1 million people are living with HIV
- An estimated 130,000 people die of AIDS each year
Both Leeds RAG and Her Campus are keen to draw attention to, and show support for, this Project to help protect women across India. If you decide you want to get involved with Leeds RAG and volunteer for this life-changing charity, the main bulk of your stay will be in a rehabilitation centre, where around 50 women and 300 children live in dorms. There is a school and hospital on site where as a volunteer you can arrange activities for the residents. Alongside this main centre, there are multiple other projects and opportunities to make an impact. For example, there is a biofarm for families who have been ousted from their communities because of HIV stigma, an adoption centre, a Childline office, slum schools where you have the opportunity to go and teach, and the sex workers office.
Leeds RAG will be joining the Snehalaya project from 30th March 2019 – 20th April 2019. The aim is to raise around £400 per person to go directly to the Snehalaya Project, some of the money being used when you are out there to organise and run activities for you to get involved in! The Leeds RAG team will be available throughout the run up to March to help you organise fundraising events, set up a MyDonate page, and teach you more about the culture (a few Marathi phrases, cookery lessons and an Indian dinner will be run before hand).
I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Katie, Leeds RAG’s appointed India trip organiser. She was so passionate about this great opportunity and had lots of useful information!
1. Why did you choose the Snehalaya Project to work with this year?
I’ve always wanted to visit India, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to authentically visit the country through volunteering for such a remarkable grassroots charity. Snehalaya (meaning “home of love”) run over 20 different projects to support 15,000 woman, children and LGBT people. The work they do spans from providing education and healthcare through to rehabilitation and campaigning against social injustice. Despite the background of the people it supports, Snehalaya’s rehabilitation centre is a very joyful place. The children love to play and take part in the activities run by volunteers, it really is a safe haven for them! I also wanted to gain an insight into what it is like to work with an NGO, and to develop a real understanding of the social and political issues facing the women and children that Snehalaya supports.
2. How do you go about organizing the Leeds RAG trips and selecting the right charities?
RAG has worked with Snehalaya for several years and keeps coming back as volunteers love the charity. The opportunity to work with a grassroots charity doing the on-the-ground work is an extremely unique experience, especially with the rise in voluntourism. Every penny RAG volunteers raise go straight into the work Snehalaya does for its 15,000 beneficiaries. Snehalaya’s work contribute towards several UN Global Sustainable Development Goals including no poverty, good health and well-being, quality education and gender equality.
3. What does it mean to you to be part of such an important plan of action against the mistreatment of women?
Snehalaya do a lot of work campaigning against social inequality against women, particularly their Stop Trafficking campaign which was supported by the Malala Fund. On the ground, they provide rehabilitation for women and their children who have escaped domestic abuse, human trafficking and the commercial sex industry. For those still working in the sex industry, Snehalaya provide healthcare and advice to ensure women minimise the risk of contracting HIV. As a woman in the UK, these situations can seem a million miles away from our day to day lives. But it’s so important to understand these issues and help bring the social change needed in the community to empower these women. Snehalaya are providing real, practical support for women in the community, for example, as a volunteer I will be involved in women empowerment sessions. This aspect of Snehalaya’s work is so inspiring.
4. Have you been involved in similar volunteering programs before? If yes, what do you think are the main things you took away and learned from your experience(s)?
I’ve done similar international volunteering programs before working with conservation charities. Projects like this are an incredible opportunity to experience different cultures, get a hands-on insight into working with vulnerable communities, and importantly push yourself to take on different challenges. Volunteering abroad is a real adventure, you’ll have a lot of unforgettable experiences, and sometimes face difficult situations, but it’s all part of what shapes the trip. For me personally, working with charities has shaped my career path.
5. How can people get involved with the project if they cannot go abroad with Leeds RAG?
The main way to get involved is to come abroad, however if this isn’t possible then you can still fundraise for the charity with RAG. We will be running several social events prior to the trip, and people who were committed to fundraising for Snehalaya are more than welcome to get involved. Events will include Indian dinners out, Bollywood movie nights and maybe even a dance class!
Other ways people can get involved includes writing about the work Snehalaya does. The political and social issues surrounding the charity are complex, but there is little awareness of these issues. Issues such as human trafficking, women forced into being sex workers, gender inequality facing LGBT people, children being raised in slums and how widespread HIV is, and the damage HIV stigma can have on individuals. Raising awareness of these issues and joining Snehalaya’s campaigns, such as #StopTrafficking, helps empower these vulnerable communities.
6. Is there anything else you would like to add or that you think people should know about the Project?
The approximate costs of this trip will be £252 for accommodation, meals, bottled water and project transport. The project will run in Easter 2019 and each volunteer will need to fundraise £400. We will be running fundraising events and socials throughout the year, so this is a great opportunity to have lots of fun making new friends and fundraising! Sign-ups close in December but spaces are limited so don’t miss out! If you would like some more information, then please email Katie via leedsrag.india@gmail.com or come to one of the drop-in sessions held in The Balcony, LUU on 20th and 27th November 10:00-13:00.
There is only room for 10 volunteers on the Snehalaya Project so make sure you sign up fast! If you are interested, or want more information about this amazing cause, feel free to email Katie at: leedsrag.india@gmail.com where she will answer any questions you may have! Alternatively check out their website www.snehalaya.org.
(All images within article sourced from www.snehalaya.org)