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The "Lighthouse" 2009
SOS Bahini Pokhara Nepal
 Dear friends,
The house which is containing the Contact-Centre is small. As a matter of fact it is consisting of one single room measuring eight square meters only. And yet, located in the centre of Pokhara's main slum it has become sort of a "Lighthouse" which is showing the right direction and a safer way for many of the female slum dwellers. It is for this reason that we decided to rename the "Slum-Contact-Centre" and call it the "Lighthouse".
The "Lighthouse" has developed into something far more that a "Contact-Centre" and the previous name does not give justice to all the activities and programs that are here taking place.
Mothers and daughters alike are seeking help, advice and counseling. Their participation too is good and it is trough their input that we were able to weave into the social fabric of this difficult environment and respond to the genuine needs of their inhabitants.
 This is what our beneficiaries requested and what we are able to offer:
- Free distribution of contraceptives
- Safe motherhood awareness-programs*
- Adolescent girls awareness programs and counseling*
- First Aid
- Free distribution of certain medicines
- EDU-Care (Education& Healthcare for children)
- Health Camps
- Distribution of warm blankets and clothes
- Non formal education for adults
- Referral service if needed
*all these programs are including HIV/AIDS and sexual transmitted diseases awareness and prevention.
Adolescent-Girl-Groups:
 Our social activist Sabina Acharya who is in charge of this project has formed 5 such groups comprising around 25 girls each. The participants are between 12 and 19 years of age. The main topics in the frequent meetings are of course about the problems that teen aged girls are facing in this difficult environment. Due to these meetings the girls have become confident; they opened up and are now able to talk about issues that are otherwise taboo in their society. Most of these issues are related to sexuality, early marriage and health issues. But discrimination, drugs and violence are frequent topics too.
Talking about these issues is most important for these teen agers and in the process of these meetings they are becoming increasingly receptive and willing to change the patterns of their behavior. Individual counseling can than take place and solutions can be offered.
 In this report we would like to tell you the story of one of the girls from the adolescent girls group and illuminate the difficulties these girls are facing and the difference we/you are able to make in their life.
Ujeli BK 15 years old.
She was born and raised in Pokhara's main slum the so called "Bus-Park-Slum". Her father, a violent, abusive alcoholic never cared much about the family. He died a year ago from a liver disease.
 The mother worked hard to feed Ujeli and her two younger brothers but life was very difficult. Everything was lacking in their small makeshift shanty and they all were in a quite bad condition.
When Sabina heard about the case she called Ujeli to the Contact Centre and gave her the first counseling. From this day on Ujeli frequently attended the group meetings and awareness classes. She changed her behavior, took better care of herself and started to take responsibility for her family. We provided healthcare, beds and blankets and the situation for the whole family improved.
 Unfortunately the mother too has become quite ill and is no longer able to work full time. For this reason we included this family in our EDU-CARE program. We provide free education, clothes and healthcare moreover we are considering to provide basic food stuff like rice, daal, potatoes and oil if this is necessary. Most importantly for them is the fact that they are not alone any longer; there is a place they can go to if they are in difficulty and there is a person they can trust, that will listen to them and offer advice.
Around 120 adolescent girls are benefitting in one way or another from our different programs and in this way we/you are able to make a difference in the life of many of the most vulnerable girls in Nepal.
Around the same number of mothers are benefitting from our various programs and this has a positive impact for the whole family, mother, father, daughters and sons alike.
Small things can make a big difference!
Let us continue in this way!!!
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