Once confident that the mother and child programs had gained a certain momentum and continuity, we began the work on the next generation viz the adolescents in the early 2000.
Our first endeavour in this regard began twofold: health and lifestyle management program for 100 adolescents at micro level and at macro level through a ‘Better Life Options’ program catering to more than 20,000 adolescents. This was implemented through 15 NGOs reaching out to 150 villages across the 12 districts of Uttarakhand. RDI-HIHT provided support and technical assistance to the network partners through field observation / monitoring visits and telephonic/electronic communication. 40 male and female lead trainers were trained, they then trained 95 grass root facilitators who then reached out to 20,321 adolescent girls and boys of 10-19 years.
The in-house adolescent lifestyle management program was developed to empower adolescents through self-awareness and self-management techniques, focusing on their mental, emotional, and social well being. Ten-day training course was held at HIHT creating a safe & supportive learning environment and included activities such as yoga, breathing and relaxation exercises. After the training course, adolescents then became peer educators in their communities.
A training handbook, You Are the Architect of Your Life, inspired by Swami Rama’s teachings was developed by H.H. Swami Rama’s students. It addressed all aspects of life- the physical, mental and spiritual, thus enabling adolescents to view their lives holistically. Communication and stress management were also a part of the curriculum.
At national level a symposium was organised in Delhi for all NGOs working on Adolescents in which HIHT represented by Dr. Renu Dhasmana and Ms. B. Maithili also participated.
