Tandurustree

Our increasing awareness of the negative implications of the stigma around women's health, and the relevance of healthy dialogue around such topics motivated us to create Tandurustree. Our goal through Tandurustree was to dismantle the stigma present in discussions of women' shealthin our school community by encouraging students to ask questions, be more aware and get engaged in such efforts. Beyond this, we also aimed to increase access to health facilities among underprivileged members of our local community. We did so by partnering with two non-governmental organisations, Myna Mahila Foundation and the Indian Cancer Society. Our work, thus, had two dimensions: awareness efforts and fundraising. As we began work in the school community, our first step was to understand how the stigmas around women's health exist and perpetuate within a classroom. Our education team, consisting of Riya, Ishita, Sarah, Yajurvi, Omkar and Archishman, created an educational curriculum for girls and boys in the eighth grade.

From quizzes on period myths to small games on improving hygiene, our education sessions aimed to inform the grade about menstruation and related concerns in order to break the taboo. In order to raise funds for Myna Mahila Foundation, our team organised a stall at the CAS Fete. Our efforts paid off, and we were able to sponsor the menstrual hygiene needs of over 60 girls for a period of three months with the funds collected! Our main event, “Relay For Life”, was organised in collaboration with the Indian Cancer Society. The main highlight of Relay For Life is a walkathon, known as the 'Relay', which symbolises the fight against cancer. The idea behind the relay is that since cancer never stops, neither shall we. The event began with an opening ceremony, where the Deputy Director General of the Indian Cancer Society, Colonel Khadar, addressed the attendees as well as speeches by cancer patients and survivors. Our events team, consisting of Tanya, Isha, Storm, Varun, Vandana and Zuni, also organised a number of games, a movie night and a polaroid booth. The night ended with a Luminaria making sessions, where all participants made paper lanterns and decorated them with messages of hope.

– Tanya Sharma