DF Review presentation August 2006

DANCING FEAT: 

DANCING FEAT 5th November 2001 – 30th September 2006

Goal: 

Goal To enhance the ability of high-risk vulnerable children[1] of Mumbai city to respond effectively to situations that place them at risk to HIV/AIDS by using the innovative art form of dance combined with Counselling and Life Skills Education using child friendly approaches. [1] (i) Children of sex workers; (ii) children involved in sex work or with a high probability of getting into sex work and/or sexual abuse, (iii) substance drug users who would /could sell sex for drugs, (iv) children with a history of multiple sex partners or in situations where they are exposed to homosexual behaviour.

Partnerships : 

Partnerships Funded by USAID, through FHI Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT) and the Shiamak Davar Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA) are the main partners Presently, 7 Mumbai based NGO Partners: Prerana, Apne Aap, Ankur, Ashray, Community Outreach Programme, St Catherine of Siena and Akanksha.

Slide4: 

Has reached out to over 1900 children (6 – 18 years) over the past almost 5 years through 12 Partners. 500 children at any given point of time.

Strategies : 

Strategies To link the 3 components, structured session planning and a curriculum is used Individual counseling support is given to children, as and when needed Supplementary nutrition

Additional activities: 

Additional activities Internal and public performances are organized in order to provide stage opportunities and increase confidence Children identified as those with ‘potential’ are given intensive dance training Regular partner meetings are held to facilitate feedback and planning. Training is an important component due to the innovative nature of this project – mainly in creative mediums

Creative methodologies in DF: : 

Creative methodologies in DF: In order to keep the children attentive and regular it is very important to use different creative methodologies:

Thematic dance: 

Thematic dance

Achievements: 2001 - 2006: 

Achievements: 2001 - 2006 No. of children in the project Cumulative achievement 1st Phase: 740 2nd Phase: 1310 3rd Phase: 1926 Total number of dance classes held: 4815

Slide11: 

Total number of creative dance classes held: 276 Total number of group counseling sessions held: 1427 Total number of LSE sessions held: 1871 Total number of performances: 23 Audience reached: 65,967

Challenges: : 

Challenges: Disparity in Age: Since the groups were not formed according to the age group, it was seen that children from 6 to 18 years were in the same group. It has been difficult to plan counseling and life skills sessions as per the needs of the younger and the older children differently. Also the differences in ages lead to differences in issues of children and their levels of understanding.

Slide13: 

Irregular attendance: In the beginning of the phase, it was seen that the children’s attendance was less and the members were not constant. Visits to the community were made and parents of the children were spoken to about the project and how the various components are useful for the overall development of their children. The need for regular attendance and punctuality was emphasized.

Slide14: 

Networking: difficulties with some NGOs as far as coordination of such things as monthly meetings, staff turnover, etc. Also arriving at a consensus while having different ideologies Involvement of NGO Directors: to ensure commitment and priority to project activities – started DF Directors Meetings

Slide15: 

The planning and linking of 3 components – dance, counseling and life skills in relation to issues of children still remains a challenge due to lack of adequate resources like time, books, money etc. Community involvement: To address and intervene with issues at different levels like family, community, society and other systems still remains a challenge.

The future… : 

The future… Keeping sustainability of the project in mind: Children have been groomed to take over the dance class NGO staff have been trained in counseling skills Peer education sessions with children on different issues and additional facilitation skills to conduct LSE/information sessions

Slide17: 

Thank you…