by Corinne Yank, GoPhil Communications Manager<\/em><\/p>\n Building Confidence Through Sports<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Vikalp\u2019s Sports for Empowerment project encourages girls to learn new skills, develop self-confidence and better understand their bodies, health and capabilities. The project also provides a gateway to initiate larger conversations about empowerment, girls\u2019 rights and alternative channels for growth, with the ultimate goal of keeping girls in school and free from child marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing to see how the participants\u2019 behaviors are visibly changing in a matter of weeks – with girls new to the project wearing their traditional clothing, often watching from the sidelines, and those who\u2019ve been enrolled for a few weeks wearing tracksuits and Vikalp shirts, confidently battling it out on the field. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The story of Nirmala exhibits the immense impact of the Sports for Empowerment project.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Nirmala dropped out of school in 2015. One evening, on her way to fetch water, she saw a few girls playing volleyball in her village and couldn\u2019t resist approaching them to learn more. That\u2019s how she learned about Vikalp and became involved in their Sports for Empowerment Project. Vikalp provided her with a ray of hope and encouraged her to return to school in 2016. But then her family refused to let her attend exams, which were held far from her village. Nirmala protested and refused to eat for 2 days, until they finally agreed to let her pursue her education and travel to take her exams.<\/span><\/p>\n Nirmala says, \u201cI do not want to be like other girls in my village who just do household work and have no ambition, hence I will work hard. I used to just laugh when people asked me questions. Now I reply with confidence. I always tell girls around me whatever I learn from Vikalp activities and try to spread as much awareness as possible. Vikalp has motivated me so much that I would never want to quit school\u2026 I would have been married now if Vikalp wasn\u2019t there.”<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Importantly, Vikalp has developed strong and trusting bonds with the parents of many of the girls participating in this program. This is crucial because unsupportive families are one of the biggest barriers to reaching and engaging these rural, at-risk girls. Vikalp has reported a change in attitude among many parents who, though watching their daughters do incredible things, have started to realize their potential and now promise to support them.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> One parent recently shared: “We always send Ganga to attend Vikalp’s meetings and camps. She participated in sports camp in Udaipur as well. There is a lot of improvement. I will send her again for exposure if there is any opportunity in the future. I know she wants to be a teacher; first we will let her fulfill her dreams, then think about her marriage.”<\/i> <\/span><\/p>\nVikalp Sansthan had a very eventful 2019! Thanks in part to the support, investment and partnership of GoPhil donors, their programs are igniting incredible change at the community level. <\/span>Following are key highlights we know you will enjoy reading.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>
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