Happy International Women's day!

So far, this deployment has been one with amazing timing. We were able to touch down just in time for Holi on Marhc 2nd and we happen to be here for International Women's day. Especially from my first couple days from working with READ, I am very happy to be here for this day of celebration. A day to commemorate the amazing work that women do on a daily basis, whether personal or professional.... every day should be international women's day.

​My first few days working with READ have been a whirlwind. They have a complex model but their mission is clear: provide education, women's empowerment, and opportunity for people in underserved rural areas of India. It is truly amazing work they are doing. Especially from reading some of the testimonials of women who had come from very disadvantaged homes, had low education, or were faced with violent abuse and how they leveraged the READ resource centres and were now skilled and earning towards their future. They have developed confidence and respect. It is for these reasons I am humbled to be working with READ. For International Women's Day, it was a day of celebrations.

​​Carlos (from Mexico now living in the Netherlands) coordinated flowers to be delivered to our female colleagues on behalf of the male team members. He is a romantic and it was an unexpected surprise for the ladies when they woke up in the morning. We then headed to work and had the opportunity to visit two READ India resources centres - our first visits!

Deeksha, from the PWC centre, is a trained pastry chef and made a traditional pineapple cake to kick off the morning - amazing. We toasted to women everywhere which was quite resonate of the work the READ team is doing already and had a slice (or two) of cake.

​We then visited one of the centre in Wazirabad near Delhi. The centres are amazing. They take grants donated based on Corporate Social Responsibility allotments, they engaged and rally the community to fill a need, define ownership, and then offer the resources to enable for the betterment of that community. We met some amazing women who are teaching vocational course in beauty and wellness, teaching literacy, basic computer courses and even preschool education to fill in the gaps where the system cannot serve. They also offered us some cake and we celebrated with the women there.

We visited one more centre before the days end and experienced the same type of passion and dedication at the Dwarka centre - the READ model centre. This time, we celebrated with delicious homemade samosas and masala chai tea - which I have grown quite fond of. All in all, I was happy to be a part of such a wonderful celebration. It was just good timing that I could be here with an organization that is dedicated to women's livelihood and empowerment meeting some of the most amazing women.

Keep up the good work :)