Celebrating 10 Years

January, 2008 Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon '08 We had a great time at this year's international marathon, both on and off the route. There were several runners from our projects, covering all three main events - marathon, half marathon and Dream Run. We also had several runners who raised pledges on behalf of Saathi, notably Suchitra Krishnamoorthy and Franzisca who both participated as part of the Dream Team, Tejgouri Mirje who ran the half marathon, and Corporate Challenge teams from KPMG and Transocean. As always, one of our team members also added some masala with a fancy dress. We have not yet heard from Give India, the charity partner of the marathon, what the sum total of funds raised for Saathi is, but we anticipate it will cross the Rs 10 Lakh this year!  Our thanks to everyone who donated in support of Saathi, those who came out to cheer our runners on, and those who pounded the pavement that day!

October, 2007 J.J. Act Training for the Mumbai Railway Protection Force Partnerships between the government and non-governmental sectors can have far-reaching results in effecting change and ensuring maximum utilization of tools available for protection of children and youth. It is in this spirit that Saathi and the Railway Protection Force have joined efforts to train the constables so they are better aware of the content, applicability, and extent of legal tools such as the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act (2000). So far, over 200 constables have participated in the training, giving good feedback and also contributing to closer working relationships. We look forward to this ongoing partnership bringing benefit to those most need of it - vulnerable and at-risk children and youth.

November, 2007 Saathi Outbound Vocational Trainees Attend N.I.M. Advanced Course The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, located in Uttarkashi, India is one of the premier mountaineering institutes in the world, drawing international students. Seven of the trainees who have participated in Saathi's Outbound Vocational Training (OVT) program have completed N.I.M.'s Basic Mountaineering course. In September, two of those students went on to complete the rigorous Advanced course. At the same time, three more trainees went for the Basic course. The Advanced course participants have returned to Mumbai with stories of their adventures which are leaving their listeners awe-struck. A point of pride for the 2 youths is the fact that out of their Advanced class of 53 students, more than 70% were from military personnel units. And of the 53, only 5 could successfully complete the artificial climbing wall, 2 of which were the Saathi participants. Our OVT trainees continue to inspire us with their achievements.