The Power of Circles: Breaking Through Walls of Pain
At Ashiyana, where restorative justice forms the bedrock of our approach, every circle brings new revelations. Today's story from our first-ever session with the boys at the Observation Home in Pune reminds us of the transformative power of patient listening and...
Holding PRIDE in Institution
Yug (name changed), has been in and out of the Umerkhadi Children’s Home in the last two years. A child being transferred across various institutes does not have a very easy life, but Yug’s journey has been layered with more complicated challenges. I remember...
IGNITING HOPE
The air was filled with fear and disbelief. The circle began with a small prayer and by acknowledging what had happened and naming what everyone was feeling. A beautiful drawing with a dove became the centerpiece of the circle. In the check-in, each child in the circle lit a candle and placed it in the center in the name of the boys and prayed for their well-being, good health, safety, and happiness.
Teach Me to Be Wild – Circle & Film Discussion
Reflecting on living untamed by learning from animals, on healing in and through community, recognising the gift and power of silence, of creating sacred and safe spaces for authenticity, compassion and innocence to flourish, particularly in the lives of children and young people…
Forgiveness and Gratitude in every bow!
We cannot change their past or the actions they’ve committed but we can create a space where by reflecting, the boys can see themselves for who they are…
The Dongri Radio Show!
As counsellors, we needed to think of something challenging that will occupy their mind and positively engage them. We introduced the idea of having Dongri’s own ‘Radio Show’ to them and they immediately said “YES” to the project.
Iftar Gathering
“I never like coming to social gatherings like that, my only happy times are the lonely moments I spend on Juhu Chaupati. First I said ‘No’, but then Didi said it's compulsory to come. And then when I came I had so much fun that I felt angry and bad when I had to go”...
Graffiti Wall
Often it’s only a listening space that is required to be able to express one’s emotions. The graffiti wall was one such place that helped break the wall within.
Discovering Light Beyond Darkness
In June, we started holding sharing circles with 20 children being tried for sexual offenses at the Observation Home. In a session on gratitude, the children expressed the desire to do something for their teachers on Teacher’s Day. We started brainstorming and without...