Let's get together to change lives

“Let’s get together to change lives”

It’s not the rumour that has it, it’s the reality – the situation of a girl child in India is difficult and the problem of gender discrimination has not been solved yet. Double – standards starts right at the beginning, as it was proven that one the sex – tests are done in pregnancy, girl-to-be-born is more likely to be a victim of abortion. It is still widely believed that a girl is far more expensive in raising and marrying off. It results in lower girl average live length, lower level of education, worse health care provided. Even though the situation slightly changes in metropolis, most of rural areas in India are still influenced by traditional point of view.

Luckily, nowadays, the consciousness of these issues is growing amongst Indian people, as they understand that underprivileged status of a girl has to be dismissed – once and for all. One of these people, Anand Koti, decided to roll up his sleeves and actually start getting this thing done. He started Colorss Foundation for people of a good will to work together towards the realization of a common goal – making children’s life less miserable. Their tool of choice is Project Enhance. Working through sports and arts, activists involved in Project Enhance, desire to support creativity and healthy development for kids taking part in the program. Practicing sports helps dealing with every-day stress and stimulating right brain-hemisphere (through artistic activities) increases creativity and productivity. Involving underprivileged children in these actions, in Colorss

Foundation’s opinion, will encourage them to contribute to their local community at the beginning.

It’s not a coincidence that Project Enhance is based on karate. Mr. Koti himself has a second – degree black belt and he claimed he benefited a lot through these exercises. Karate is not only a sequence of movements, a way to fight. Karate is also a philosophy and it helps in mastering both your body and mind. It makes controlling anger easier, develops trust and cooperation, increase happiness (due to brain simulation). Considering physiological aspects, karate improves your stamina and flexibility, also fortifies muscles. Martial arts are not about getting someone hurt, but about becoming stronger and composed, yourself. This is especially fruitful for young girls, giving them confidence boost, increasing their level of focus and self – discipline. They feel stronger and more powerful, therefore – less vulnerable.

To balance the martial arts element, half of the training session focuses on beaux-arts. Tasks like sketching, dancing and acting activate so-called ‘right brain’. As a result, they pick up one’s cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination and focus as well. Stimulate the imagination through different games, role-playing, storytelling… Kids taking part in the program learn about discipline but also have a lot of pure fun! In the structure of Project Enhance are also involved professionals – volunteers who encourage children in learning how to control their body language, give them a motivational talks, help progressing in communicational skills. They go even further: discuss possible career options and discuss family dynamics. All to fulfill the superior goal: give those underprivileged, challenged kids hope. Hope for brighter future. And belief that they are their own destiny’s creators. Simply start the changes in their lives.

Anna Kwasik © 2011