Thanks for your support
In the month of September – We launched our second batch of fellows. This year we got 20 applications of which 10 fellows were selected and started the training As I was selected for the fellowship program, I was so happy and I was so excited to know how fellowship is working. I was eager to learn and be part of the fellowship. I came to know the process of fellowship and how it works. I came to know the vision of fellowship, that every HIV-infected and affected child will actively participate learn and lead a holistic and productive adulthood. So to be good fellows we need to learn life skills and values which we need to practice in our day-to-day life. The main purpose of the fellowship is to focus on 4 main areas, Education, Health, Livelihood, and gender. In fellowship, we focus mainly on these 4 areas because students who are like us in the same age group might be not aware of their health status and how to take care of and give importance to themself. And focusing on education because students who have not yet completed their education will be supported through giving some training which might be helping them in their future. And focusing on livelihood to know their future plans, so that through fellowship some training could be given chances to find a good job. And finally focus on livelihood because some students might be unaware or confused about what they want to become and how to choose their career, so as fellows we can help or make them think the best solution for them to choose their career plan.
We continued to focus on the three principles
Engage
Footprints 2022
Run for yourself…. Transform the world…
In total 175 children participated in this run from across the state of Karnataka, this was first run, completely led and Managed by the ImPossible Fellowship team, with support from, Rishi Children Trust and SVT.
Dawn broke crisply on a bright Sunday in Bengaluru on 21st August 2022, meeting the eager participants of Footprints 2022 - a unique running event, presented by children, for children. The aim of Footprints 2022 was to connect people together, and foster a sense of community where giving and running can be transformative. Inspired by Rishi Shet, a compassionate teenager who loved running, this event hoped to leave footprints for succeeding generations to follow others carrying the same ideal.
My experience volunteering for the Footprints Run was incredibly positive. I helped prepare Sneha Care Home for the event and assisted with bib distribution, which included organizing bibs and assigning numbers to registered groups. This helped make the registration process run smoothly on the day of the event. The leadership team was clear in their expectations and any issues were quickly resolved. Overall, it was a fulfilling experience to be a part of the event from start to finish.
As a volunteer, my main role was in bib distribution. I was responsible for organizing the bibs for the 5K and 10K runs in numerical order and assigning bib numbers to registered groups to streamline distribution on the day of the event. I collaborated with two other volunteers to complete these tasks in the evening, ensuring a smooth registration process for the next day's volunteers.
On the day of the Footprints Run, I was assigned to the bib distribution station, where I assisted other volunteers. Thanks to the efficient organization of bibs and registration the night before, the distribution process ran smoothly with minimal disruptions. Any issues that arose were promptly and efficiently handled by the leadership team.
Overall, my experience as a volunteer for the Footprints Run 2022 was extremely positive. The leadership team effectively communicated their expectations for the volunteers, which made my role much easier to fulfil. I felt a great sense of accomplishment and fulfilment being able to contribute to the success of the event from start to finish.
Experience
I was eager to conquer the 10km Footprints Run, organized by Snehagram in partnership with Rishi Children's Trust. In preparation, I trained rigorously for a month, facing challenges but staying motivated. On the day of the race, I warmed up and set off on the run, feeling exhausted after the first kilometer but pushed on with encouragement from fellow runners. As I picked up speed, I reached water stations but savored the peace of solo running. Crossing the finish line to enthusiastic cheers and receiving a cap as a reward, I indulged in a well-deserved meal. Afterward, I reunited with friends and shared the excitement of the cultural program. Overall, the Footprints Run was a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
Leadership Training (Asha Foundation)
Nearly 60 youths were trained in leadership. In the training, we learned that great leadership is not something that happens by accident, but rather a capacity that is developed through learning, training, and participating. Additionally, we emphasized the importance of the 3Cs of leadership: character, competence, and compassion. One of the most impactful moments of the training was when we were presented with case studies of leaders who exemplified these traits and were able to see the positive impact they had on their teams and organizations. As a result of this training, we plan to make a conscious effort to incorporate these principles into our daily leadership practices and continue to develop our leadership skills through ongoing training and participation.
The most valuable and informative session was led by experts from the ASHA Foundation, who have years of experience in counseling and education on these topics. The three main topics they covered were peer pressure, love and infatuation, and marriage. In the session on peer pressure, we learned the difference between positive and negative peer pressure and strategies for avoiding negative influences from our peers. We also reflected on our own experiences with peer pressure and how it has affected our relationships and decisions.
The second topic was the difference between love and infatuation, which was particularly relevant for our age group. The speakers provided clear definitions and examples of each, as well as strategies for distinguishing between the two and maintaining healthy relationships.
Lastly, the session on marriage was particularly enlightening, as many of us had little prior knowledge of the subject. The speakers covered the importance of healthy communication and decision-making in a marriage, as well as the role of counselors and doctors in maintaining a healthy relationship. They also discussed the relationship between HIV and marriage and how to protect oneself and one partner. Overall, the sessions were engaging and informative and we gained a lot of useful knowledge that will be beneficial in the future.
Fitness training for Trainers
Three-day fitness training was organized for a few selected children from three institutions namely; Christy Girls Home, Dayabhavan, and Snehasadaan. In total there were 10 participants and the major objective was to help them learn basic exercises which can help them to maintain fitness and good health. This has been a great way to bring everyone together and motivate them to learn so that they can move on to their institution and start teaching the same to the children in the institute. This is a peer-led model to reach out to the maximum number of children and help everyone to maintain good health through running and exercise.
Experience
I love running from a very young age, I had participated in a few runs at the school level. The moment I learned that there is an opportunity to get trained. I was so eager to join the three days training. The first as expected was mostly orientation and introduction sessions. The second was very exciting with so much of new classes on various running-related topics and it was amazing to learn the different types of running, I was shocked to know there are so many variations in running itself. Every theory session was followed by a practical session too. This was really a good way as I still remember each session by heart. The interaction with the other trainees was very unique and special, I was very glad to meet everyone and learn from each other. The most loved part was trekking to the hill, there was so much fun and entertainment, we all jumped into the pond on the hill, the water was really cool and the land slippery. This was indeed a joyous moment for me and for every trainee. This training has brought the confidence that the harder we work the more we grow successfully. I am glad to receive such an opportunity to train myself and help other children in my institution.
Positive Running Camp
The Impossible Fellowship's Fitness Training for Runners is a comprehensive program designed to enhance the running skills of select participants. Over the course of two days, the program features a variety of activities related to running, all of which are led by experienced mentors and fellows. 25 participants were selected from four institutions: Snehasadaan in Mangalore, Nava Sanidhya in Bijapur, Dayabhavan in Tumkur, and Christy Girls Home in Kolar. The training is overseen by a professional doctor and certified coaches to ensure the safety and effectiveness of all activities.
I arrived at the training feeling uncertain about what I would be able to learn in just three days. However, the trainer's approach of starting early with simple warm-up stretches put me at ease. Throughout the training, I was introduced to different types of running and related exercises, which were explained in a clear and easy-to-understand way. I appreciated having time to rest during the day, as the evening sessions were intense and focused on building strength. Initially, I struggled to complete the exercises, but with consistent repetition, I saw marked improvement in my ability. Each of the three days was packed with valuable training and I especially enjoyed the uplifting music that accompanied the workouts. The training not only improved my physical fitness but also boosted my confidence. I left feeling rejuvenated and grateful for the new knowledge and skills I acquired.
Interaction with TFI
The team from Teach for India journeyed to Snehagram to gain a deeper understanding of our Peer Leadership Program and interact with our fellowship team. Sneha Charitable Trust is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of children, adolescents, and youth living with HIV through meaningful partnerships with organizations throughout Karnataka.
The program empowers its beneficiaries through training, networking, and social mobilization, instilling a sense of ownership and responsibility in the adolescents and youth infected with HIV. The fellows, work with their community and build leadership skills among them, providing access to anti-retroviral treatments, social entitlements, and counselling services, either in person or through tele-counselling.
Under the guidance of mentors, the peer leaders lead activities and engage with youth through monthly youth-friendly sessions, utilizing video platforms like Skype, WhatsApp, or Zoom to reach as many participants as possible. These sessions empower the youth to make informed decisions about their health, education, and livelihood.
The visit provided a glimpse into Sneha Charitable Trust's innovative approach to empowering and uplifting those living with HIV through peer leadership.
Empower
International Aids Conference
The 24th International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2022, was a resounding call to action for the world to come together and embrace science in the fight against HIV. The conference aimed to pave the way for future research, drive evidence-based action, and chart a new course in overcoming the HIV epidemic as a threat to public health and individual well-being.
Our team was thrilled to have three abstracts selected to be presented at the conference, held in Montreal, Canada on July 28th, 2022. The abstracts highlighted the impact of a structured physical activity program, the enhancement of children's lives living with HIV, a peer-led program for HIV-positive widow-headed households, and empowering HIV-positive adolescents with education.
Attending the conference was a truly unforgettable experience. The sea of attendees from all over the world was awe-inspiring, and the inauguration was a testament to the power of collective action with its line-up of influential leaders. The sessions were informative and engaging, providing a wealth of knowledge on the latest research and findings.
I was proud to represent my community and country at the conference, and the opportunities for networking and building relationships were invaluable. The Global Village was a showcase of the amazing work being done around the world, and I was inspired by the innovative interventions aimed at improving the lives of those living with illness.
Meeting the ASHA team, who have been instrumental in organizing camps for HIV-infected children in India, was a highlight of the conference. Connecting with like-minded individuals and expanding our collaboration was a crucial outcome of the conference, as well as the opportunity to present our own work in the form of an E-poster on the IAS website.
Ultimately, AIDS 2022 was about more than just presentations and sessions, it was about the community and the people. It gave us a chance to connect with others who share our values, exchange ideas, and develop our interpersonal skills. With the support of all, I was able to attend the conference and return home with a wealth of new knowledge, relationships, and inspiration.
My First International Conference
I’mPossible Program Officer: Kaleshwar
The 24th International AIDS conference held in Montreal Canada was an eye-opening opportunity for me, I browsed and discussed with many to acquire information on the AIDS conference and identified that this was the right platform that would open various opportunities to our communities living with HIV and I aimed to connect with partners from across the globe. The International AIDS Conference is the premier global platform where scientists, policymakers, and activists meet around a shared objective: accelerating an evidence-based and equitable HIV response. Re-engaging and following science was the theme.
I wrote an abstract on, Learn for life: Empowering HIV adolescents with Education. Abstract reference number: (A-AIDS-2022-07415) and applied for the young leader's program and got selected to share my views and learnings. This was the best opportunity to work and identify the best programs to implement in the project I work on, working with youth in different regions has made me think wider and deeper about the wellness of the community and the conference was the best place to share our need for development. I got to interact with doctors, organizers, program leaders, scientists to communicate our needs.
I acquired broad knowledge on approaches for HIV cure and vaccine research, pandemic: living with HIV during COVID-19, Community-led responses and research, strengthening health systems, monkeypox outbreak, and response, The 2025 targets: Powerful motivation or will miss the mark, Where are we heading in the HIV response, Building bridges to HIV prevention and care for children and young people.
Visit to Johns Hopkins
The experience of visiting John Hopkins was truly awe-inspiring and one that will remain etched in my memory for a long time. The excitement of meeting Sunil Solomon (YRG) and presenting my work on physical fitness and running, while also discussing the I’mPossible Fellowship that is being implemented in Karnataka state, left me absolutely thrilled. The interaction was highly engaging, with many fascinating ideas exchanged, and I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to speak about the Positive Running Program and its potential application in the Rainbow camps that are conducted by ASHA Foundation, with the support of YRG.
I was personally overjoyed with the interaction with Sunil Solomon, who I found to be a kind-hearted and humble individual. His encouragement and promise to bring in new initiatives for the benefit of the children left me feeling elated and inspired. The meeting was a grand success, largely due to the presence and support of Dr. Anita and Dr. Kayur, who played a vital role in creating this wonderful opportunity.
Overall, the meeting was highly productive, with many valuable insights and ideas shared. The opportunity to present my work to such esteemed individuals was a privilege, and I felt truly fortunate to be given this chance. The entire experience has given me a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm, and I am eager to continue working towards my goal of promoting physical fitness and well-being.
Circle of Life Concert
The Circle of Life concert was held in honour of Rishi, who was a passionate music lover and an inspiration to many through his performances. In 2017, Rishi organized the concert "String Theory" with the goal of raising funds for orphaned and vulnerable children. On August 19, 2022, we continued his legacy by organizing the Circle of Life concert to support the same cause. The event was a huge success, thanks to the support and active participation of everyone involved. The students of Snehagram especially touched the hearts of many with their powerful mime performance, which conveyed the message of how a small act of kindness can have a big impact on someone's life. The concert was a beautiful tribute to Rishi and his dedication to making a difference through music.
Our teacher informed us of a concert in Bangalore where we were to prepare a mime performance. I was thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of the mime but wasn't sure what theme to choose. My group and I approached our teacher for guidance, and together we came up with a theme through brainstorming. Our teacher then took the time to teach us slowly and patiently, and daily face expression exercises were an essential part of our training. The first trial of our performance was not up to our expectations, but our teacher motivated me and encouraged me to keep going. On the day of the concert, I was excited to perform in front of a large audience and saw many students from other schools. Our mime was well-received, and we received a loud applause from the audience. The experience taught me the importance of practice and the exercises we were taught and helped me understand the aims of the Circle of Life concert to bring together those who loved music in memory of Rishi Shet. It brought me immense joy to perform and I was satisfied with the outcome.
Change Makers
I'm gowthami, finishing my graduation and now I work in Maruti Suzuki in insurance department as a telecaller. I was given an opportunity to take part in the circle of life concert. I took part in the change maker’s speech where I explained to people of how I came up to be so confident girl and living a healthy life like any other children. Also expressed my heartfelt thanks for all those who brought me up to be confident and live happy life This time instead of just standing at one place and giving speech...Dr.Anitha and her team came out with an different idea... which really made excited and that was expressing my speech through dance...this was something new and I gave my best and everyone were so happy for me..It was not just me but I had other three of friends with me who participated in this change maker’s speech. All four of us were really privileged to be part of this concert and had a great experience of meeting people and telling them our story... I was part of I'm Possible Fellowship where I got to learn different skills and other abilities and that was how I got an opportunity to be part of this concert My heartfelt thanks to Dr.Anitha Shet and her team and our fathers for giving me an opportunity to be part of circle of life concert and the change makers.
Lakshmikanth is a 23 years old boy coming from Yadgir a district of Karnataka. He lost both his parents at the early age and with the help and support of networks he came to Sneha care home Bangalore. As the child came into the place he gained back his childhood and made lot of friends. As days passed by he moved to Snehagram tamilnadu for his higher studies. As he was doing his graduation he came to know about the impossible fellowship and without a thought he applied for the fellowship program. He was selected as the program officers of the fellowship as he had lot of skills leadership and committed to his work. When he was part of the fellowship program he organized camps livelihood program and training for children youth and adults around Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Seeing his skills hardworking and his interests. KSAPS selected him as a trainer to facilitate the training program organized by KSAPS. Being the trainer he facilitated two DLNS meeting at Bangalore and Dharwad for 90 participates from all the districts of Karnataka were present. Being the trainer I had good time sharing my knowledge with others and helping the adults to make the right decision and guide them the activity they have to do for the children living with HIV. During the training I was able to understand the hard work i went through has brought me this result and the confidence to stand in front with courage and confidence and take session for those bigger than me. Being in Snehagram and fellowship I have built my skills and strengthen to face the challenges and move on in life.
Partnerships
Field visit to partner institutions DASRA
Partnership meetings were held with the organizations in Haveri, Dharwad, and Belagavi, districts. While the ImPossible Team, led the DASRA project, the objective was also to support the partners in effectively reaching out to the adolescents and youth in the respective district and ensure quality services are provided to them. It was great interaction between networks in terms of understanding their activities and roles played with communities. We focused on the following objectives:
- Specifying the involvement of networks and organizations directly or indirectly in identifying beneficiaries.
- Creating a network of youth in their region to meet their requirements.
- Shared the information regarding job related training with students and get them to enroll.
- Aim to connect children with the concerned organizations to achieve their requirements.
- Build exposure to various fields and boost the self-confidence of young adults.
- Connect with ART and network to improve the personal health of each participant.
Spandana Camp 1: Davangere
Sneha Spandana is a camp program in collaboration with SS trust and the I'mPossible fellowship. The camp aims to develop leadership and life skills for children and adolescents living with HIV in the communities of the Davangere district. The complete program is split into three days/ three weeks. In total, we cover nine modules that consist of leadership skills and life skills. In total 35 children participated in the camps.
After a long gap of nearly after 05 years, these children came together for another interactive session, and making them feel comfortable and confident was our priority. We started the sessions with lots of hope and energy but the participants took lots of time in talking and sharing their ideas and thoughts. A few of them came out of their nervousness and started conversations that helped each one to build connections. The partnership with SS trust was really encouraging and their support in the ImPossible Initiative helped us contribute greatly to the children’s lives.
“AIDS Back on the agenda”
Kaleshwar had a great opportunity to be part of the National Consultation on AIDS back on agenda organized by the World Council of Churches in collaboration with Human Touch Organization Goa, Kaleshwar represented I’mPossible fellowship and the programs focusing on strengthening the youth community across Karnataka state. In India, young people take the lead in creative thinking to combat HIV. The solo presence of young people and adolescents changed the mood of the entire group, said Gracia Ross, program executive of WCC Ecumenical HIV AIDS initiatives and advocacy.
We shared ideas for capacity building, particularly for writing funding proposals and connecting with potential donors. We also mapped all existing youth organizations and platforms to start networking among young people. A quick sharing on issues and challenges including violence, mental health, and lack of employment opportunities was shared in the consultation.
Kaleshwar had a great opportunity to share and converse with the UNAIDS country director Dr. David Bridger and other important officials, it was a beautiful platform to learn and understand various targets and programs that the country is planning.
Advocacy Meeting
The meeting was held in Partnership with John Hopkins University, Gulbarga Diocese, Magic Bus, St. Joseph’s Bijapur, and Christy Girls Home. The youth from Bangalore, Dharwad, Bidar, Gulbarga and Vijayapura participated along with organizations that are working in the region for more than 10 years. These organizations are working in the field of Health, Education, and Livelihoods to address the growing needs of children, adolescents, and youth living with HIV. We all have realized that as children enter adulthood, their challenges are different and the choices are few, we observe that young adults are often pushed into situations that make them more vulnerable to the conditions they are in. The key objective of the meeting was to reflect on and strengthen our partnership to address the concerns of adolescents and Youth. Here for us was an opportunity to come together, listen to some of them, share their experiences, and find a pathway wherein they can live sustainable and healthy life. The meeting was inaugurated by Fr. Bijoy, the president of Sneha Charitable Trust and the provincial of St. Camillians.
The panel discussion was the most engaging session, students and the leaders from the organization had a great opportunity to interact and understand the needs of HIV youth. It was inspiring and genuine. Our youth shared their painful journey and expressed their concerns about getting educated, securing jobs, healthy living, emotional needs, training, and exposure to a different environment for their individual growth. Some of our youth expressed their challenging lifestyle and not being in the position to cope with those hard times, had to choose a path that never fetched them happiness. Due to family burdens, they had to quit their education and had to work for hours for earning their daily bread. Each one of us has beautiful childhood memories to talk about but these teens' childhood remains unforgettable as they experienced hardship and burdened thought. The panel discussion took each one of us to think of all the possibilities to work for the betterment and to secure our lives. We received lots of positive responses from various organizations and their willingness to support our program has been strongly mentioned.
We Conducted an Advocacy meeting at Hubli and I Participated in Advocacy Meeting Youth and Adolescents participated in this meeting. We mainly discussed Health, Education, and Livelihood
Livelihood Topic I shared about my life History. And my childhood story in front of all. I shared my Education History. I shared about the fellowship Journey after doing my degree. As I was doing the fellowship training I learned about the various challenges children face as I was doing the monthly follow-up. As I was about to finish my fellowship training I got an opportunity to be a counselor at KNP. As my performance was good later I was moved to the coordinator at Hubli KNP. Currently, I am managing overall District HIV Clients through the ART Centre and CSC. I was able to do and be here as a fellowship provide with the required skills and built my confidence.