Pornima Pathak, a project manager, works to empower adolescent girls and create leaders. She greatly acknowledges the role of leadership training, counselling and civic awareness programmes. She is committed to working on various issues such as menstrual hygiene awareness, better implementation of government schemes at the grassroots level in rural areas and community's holistic development.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought so much disruption to so many. All over the world, people have to shift their priorities, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, step up, and be brave.

As a project manager operating in several small villages, she has seen the staff and volunteers become extremely resourceful as they expand their services and protect the most vulnerable in our society.

"It is we women who understand the basic needs of the communities and families. We are the ones who know the issues relating to water, the health of women and children, facilities available in schools, and so on. If we don't speak up, these problems will never be addressed. My goal now is that communities, particularly women, can significantly contribute to using and conserving our natural resources. I want to address the problem of water scarcity and the absence of clean water in rural areas. "

I'm grateful to everyone who has supported us, enabling us not only to work with women and girls in Shirpur but to mount several initiatives that are impacting lives.