MINDFULNESS IN THE TIME OF QUARANTINING

MINDFULNESS IN THE TIME OF QUARANTINING

Quarantine is a very emotionally vulnerable time and it is very important to practice mindfulness for a calm and peaceful lifestyle. While the world is struggling with new Corona Virus cases everyday and more than 3 billion people are under a lockdown, we are under a threat of developing problems like anxiety and depression. We can take certain steps to ensure that our mental health remains good and we take care of ourselves.

1.       Work out in small time gaps- The next time you see a short ad break on television, get up and do a quick 30 round of squats and lunges. While washing dishes, practice heel rising. While waiting for milk to boil in the kitchen, do 10 pushups. This will ensure that there is good blood circulation in the body.

2.      Skipping and Hula Hoop: A skipping rope or hula hoop are available with most people at home, so start working out in small sets every morning and let those happy hormones out.

3.      Dancing- The best way to sweat it out while relaxing your mind is to dance. Put on your favorite music and dance with your family for as much time as you can. Not only will it help you to remain fit and happy, but will also ensure that you make new memories.

4.      Walk up and down the stairs- For all those people who have stairs at home, the stairs can be the best way to tone your lower body. Go up and down the stairs as much as you can.

5.      Stretch- As soon as you wake up in the morning, do a nice set of stretching. Take your arms straight up and touch your toes. Sway your upper body in all directions. This little exercise will help you become more active.

6.      Yoga and meditation- The importance of these is known worldwide and is well proven. Sit on the ground on a yoga mat or a bed sheet and do deep breathing. This can be followed by a an asana. ( See our HEEALS latest posts for all good yoga asana). Start meditating by closing your eyes and concentrating on the tip of your nose or the centre of your forehead. It will help you feel more calm and composed.

-Tvisha

World Water Day, on 22 March

The World Water Day 2020 campaign explains statements such as:

• We cannot afford to wait. Climate policy makers must put water at the heart of action plans.
• Water can help fight climate change. There are sustainable, affordable and scalable water and sanitation
  
  solutions.
• Everyone has a role to play. In our daily lives, there are surprisingly easy steps we can all take to address climate change.

World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. This year’s theme, ‘Water and Climate Change’, explores how water and climate change are inextricably linked.

As the global population grows, so does the demand for water, which depletes natural resources and damages the environment in many places. Solutions include protecting carbon sinks such as oceans and wetlands, adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, and increasing the safe reuse of wastewater.

Water is our most precious resource – we must use it more responsibly. We must balance all of society’s water needs while ensuring the poorest people don’t get left behind.

Hand hygiene is essential to containing the spread of COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases. If you have access to soap and water.

 On this World Water Day, and any other day, remember to wash your hands regularly with water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand gel.

This #WorldWaterDay, let’s show our best hand hygiene moments to fight #COVID19.

#SafeHands on #WorldWaterDay #heeals #ngo #india

SAFE DURING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC

SOME GUIDELINES FOR STAYING SAFE DURING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC

With the number of cases in India already crossing 200 and increasing rapidly, there has been a sense of panic among the people. With numerous rumors and Whatsapp forwards, people have been exposed to information that may or may not be true and has no credibility. Thus, all people are requested to undertake the following measures seriously as prescribed by the Ministry of Health guidelines:

1.       Keep washing your hands thoroughly at regular intervals.

2.      Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

3.      Stay at home when sick.

4.      Practice social distancing

5.      Wear a mask if showing symptoms like coughing.

6.      Keep a sanitizer handy and disinfect things regularly.

7.      Always use a tissue while coughing or sneezing.

8.     If you have fever, cough or difficulty in breathing, seek medical help immediately.

9.      Do not hoard items due to panic buying.

10.  Avoid use of public transport for some time. Prefer to work from home.

11.   Stay at home and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

12.   Always keep masks and sanitizers in reach.

Remember, there is no need to panic. The government is doing a great job towards containing the pandemic. As responsible citizens it is our duty to ensure that we fight this together and take all guidelines seriously. Each individual must try to spread as much awareness as possible. The mortality rate is low. WE CAN FIGHT THIS TOGETHER!!

Wishing Good Health For All From HEEALS Team

-Tvisha

INTERNSHIP VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN FORMAL & INFORMAL EDUCATION PROJECTS

INTERNSHIP VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL

EDUCATION PROJECTS

Formal education refers to the education that takes place in the education and training system of a country. It is official, structured and is organized by public organizations or recognized private institutions and results with formal certification recognized by relevant national educational authorities. In simple terms, this means that the certification of completion of education that we receive at the end of our education period is the end result or proof of our skills and knowledge.

Formal education is mainly full – time education and is a continuous process with defined stages. Formal education encompasses primary, lower and upper secondary education, higher and university education that culminate in the achievement of a degree or a professional qualification or diploma or a recognized certification. School education is given utmost importance all across the world because it lays the foundation of a child’s bright future by providing him/ her  a platform to showcase and make full use of the unique talents s/he possesses. This not only helps an individual to do well financially, but also helps him/ her to bring about impactful changes around them.

Non-formal learning is characterized by a deliberate choice of the person, which takes place outside of the systems mentioned above. This include educational and training purposes, even volunteering, the national civil service, private social service and in enterprises.

 Non – formal education is also any type of structured and organized learning which is institutionalized, intentional and planned by an educational provider, but which does not lead to formal level of qualification recognized by the relevant national education authorities. People of all age groups can participate in non - formal education which can be offered through courses, workshops, seminars.

Non formal education is as important as formal education, because it helps an individual to enhance their personality by learning certain soft skills that help develop the emotional quotient of the person. Activities done selflessly for the benefit of others can take a person a long way. It not only gives satisfaction for having done a good deed, but can also bring about big changes in society and the lives of those in need.

Countries across the world, including India, welcome volunteers from across the world to selflessly engage themselves in both formal and informal education projects through a wide range of internship and volunteering programs. In India, there is a need to spread awareness among children in several domains like menstruation, sanitation, gender equality, sexual exploitation etc. Thus, volunteers are required to spread this message in a friendly and easy to learn manner. Through small changes, we can transform our upcoming generations into responsible and wise citizens.

At HEEALS, we invite people from all across the world, who have the time, intention and relevant skills to make a difference in society, to come and intern with us. For us, both formal and informal education is equally important in the life of a child. We aim at making the lives of children belonging to poor financial backgrounds a better place by providing those opportunities to explore and showcase the unique talent that they possess. Come work with us today!

-Tvisha

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY #EachForEqual 2020 An Article By Tvisha

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

#EachForEqual 2020

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, political, economic and cultural achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for working towards women’s equality. Imagining life without women is quite hard-hitting. The fact remains that all the great people of the world are born from the womb of a woman and it is a woman from whom those great people have taken their initial teachings. And that is the reason we have always emphasized upon giving the due respect to women in their life. And that is why women’s day is celebrated with so much of zeal and it has spread throughout the world.

This year’s campaign, #EachForEqual, draws attention to the difference individuals can make.

Celebrating women is a way of feeling gratitude to each and every woman in one’s life, be it in the professional or the personal life. International Women’s day is observed every year on 8th of March and it is observed around the world to celebrate the velour of women. Women from various cultural and ethnic groups come together crossing all the boundaries to remember their struggle of many decades for peace, justice, equality and development. The day allows women to raise their voice for equal opportunities in whatever field they wish to participate in;  the same men are provided with. Women like Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal and Malala Yusufzai have achieved so much in life despite facing struggles and inspire us through their journey to do better in life.

International women’s Day is all about feeling women realize their worth and giving them boost to achieve as per their actual potential. On this day the world unites to appreciate their courage to cross all the hurdles and make such tremendous improvement in all most all the spheres of life. Besides that, the most important thing to be given emphasis is the work that still needs to be done to fill that gap completely that has existed from ages.

So let us come together and celebrate the spirit of being a woman and thank the women in our life through little gestures of care. Women have contributed so much to society through their achievements in different fields. It is time for us now to appreciate their efforts by doing our bit. It is time for us now to work actively towards issues like gender equality, equal work- equal pay and women safety so that all women feel safe and valued not just on one particular day, but every day.

-Written By : Tvisha 

Happy International Women's Day From HEEALS

Women's Identification Is Bringing Prosperity In The World - HEEALS

Happy International Women's Day !

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
#IWD2020 #EachforEqual
March 8, 2020

Women's Identification Is Bringing Prosperity In The World - HEEALS 

We Are Making Gender Equality Society . Be a part of it .

FIGHT AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE)

FIGHT AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE)  

In simple terms, Sexual exploitation is an act or acts committed through non-consensual abuse or exploitation of another person’s sexuality for the purpose of sexual gratification, financial gain, personal benefit or advantage, or any other non-legitimate purpose.

The act or acts of sexual exploitation are STRICTLY PROHIBITED by law.

WHAT  DOES CHILD  EXPLOITATION  LOOK  LIKE?

Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they're given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused.

Children and young people can be trafficked to be sexually exploited. Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child or young person, making them feel as if they've no choice. Anybody can be a perpetrator of exploitation, no matter their age, gender or race. Children and young people who are exploited may also be used to 'find' or coerce others to join groups.

SIGNS OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

• Unhealthy or inappropriate sexual behavior

• Being frightened of some people, places or situations.
• Bring secretive.
• Sharp changes in mood or character.
• Having money or things they can't or won't explain.
• Physical signs of abuse, like bruises or bleeding in their genital or anal area.
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Sexually transmitted infections.
• Pregnancy.
• going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late
• skipping school or being disruptive in class
• Experiencing health problems that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection.

  IF A CHILD REPORTS ABUSE

If a child talks to you about sexual exploitation it's important to:

• listen carefully to what they're saying
• let them know they've done the right thing by telling you
• tell them it's not their fault
• say you'll take them seriously
• don't confront the alleged abuser
• explain what you'll do next
• report what the child has told you as soon as possible.

EFFECTS OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Both sexual exploitation in person and online can have long-term effects on a child or young person. They may:

• struggle with trust and be fearful of forming new relationships
• become isolated from family and friends
• fail exams or drop out of education
• become pregnant at a young age
• experience unemployment
• have mental health problems
• make suicide attempts
• abuse alcohol and drugs
• take part in criminal behavior
• Experience homelessness.

REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE

Increased attention in the activism around child protection led to the Government of India passing the ‘The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)’ law in 2012. This act criminalizes a range of acts including rape, harassment, and exploitation for pornography involving a child below 18 years of age and mandates the setting up of Special Courts to expedite trials of these offences. A complaint can be filed under this act and immediate action will be taken.  

PREVENTING CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Following are some steps that can be taken to spread awareness among children regarding sexual exploitation:

1.      Teach children and young people about healthy relationships and how to stay safe online can help prevent sexual exploitation. These foundations can be laid from a young age.

2.      Make sure children and young people know there are trusted adults they can speak to about their worries.

3.       Helping children to understand their bodies and sex in a way that is appropriate for their age

4.      Developing an open and trusting relationship, so they feel they can talk to you about anything

5.      Explaining the difference between safe secrets (such as a surprise party) and unsafe secrets (things that make them unhappy or uncomfortable)

6.      Teaching children to respect family boundaries, such as privacy in sleeping, dressing and bathing

7.      Teaching them self-respect and how to say no

8.      Supervising internet, mobile and television use

-Written By Tvisha