Social work students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have left a lasting gift for women and children at risk in the city of Pune in western India.

 

The 14 Bachelor of Social Work students visited India during a two-week international study tour  hosted by the India Study Abroad Centre (ISAC) at the end of 2012.

 

During the trip, the students stayed in a village between Pune and Mumbai and met with social workers in a range of community development and social justice programs.

 

This included a visit to meet staff working at Saheli, a sex workers’ co-operative. The sex workers are often sold by family members into a life in the sex trade. Their children are cared for by the co-operative. The co-operative employs some professional social workers who manage health and life issues on their behalf.

 

So moved was the group by the commitment of staff at Saheli, they later raised 27 000 India Rupee ($A481) for the service with the donation presented to ISAC to oversee before the students departed for home.

Course Director with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga Dr Bill Anscombe said “The money has been used to paint and improve a room for children in the care of Saheli”.

 

“The funds have also used to paint a community kitchen for the women as well as to purchase water bottles for the younger children and bags for the school aged children to carry their lunch,” he said.

 

“We have been advised by ISAC that the remaining money will be used to buy games and toys for the children as well as pictures and wall hangings to improve the feel of the children’s room.”

 

Lecturer with the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ms Heather Barton said, “This donation really shows that what to us is ‘a little’ goes such a long way in India”. 

 

“I congratulate the students for their contributions to the improvement this represents in the lives of the women and children who use this service.”

 

Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Arts Professor Jennifer McKinnon said, “It's great to see that the donation has been used for priorities identified locally and has led to real improvements in facilities”.

“It is a credit to our students and our staff on the India trip - Heather and Bill.”  

 

The study tour to India by the social work students in November 2012 was supported by CSU Global, a University initiative to encourage international study experiences. This included Vice-Chancellor Travel Grants.  

 

Read here and here on CSU News about previous India trips.