Last Month at Adhikaar- March 2009

1. International Women’s Day Celebration
2. Youth Mental Health Workshop
3. Tuberculosis Forum
5. Visit to the State Capital
6. Small Business Workshop

International Women’s Day Celebration
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, we organized a conference titled, “Nepali Women’s Sisterhood: Unity in Diversity” on March 8, 2009. Over 100 Nepali sisters and brothers came together and shared personal stories as well as ideas for strengthening our community. This was the first conference that brought together such a diverse group of women (and male allies) in our community into one room to share and learn from each other.

For additional detail, please read our press release at:
http://adhikaar.blogspot.com/2009/03/nepali-women-in-new-york-celebrate.html

Youth Mental Health Workshop
Adhikaar Youth Group organized a Mental Health Workshop on February 27, 2009. Himal Shrestha, a Nepali-American medical student, led the 1-hour workshop. According to our youth member, Saloni Agrawal, “The mental health workshop informed us about depression. We learned that depression which can lead to suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds. We familiarized ourselves with the common symptoms of depression such as loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and anger. This workshop targeted our age group because we are more likely to succumb under pressure. We talked about it in such a depth that we cleared the confusion by the time we left the room.”

Tuberculosis Forum
Our volunteer Chintana Chhetri and Development Associate Rinku Bastola attended a TB forum organized by the Coalition for TB-Free NYC on March 24, 2009 at Queens Library in Corona, NY. The forum discussed the situation of TB in NYC. According to the NY Department of Health - Bureau of TB Control, Nepalis were among the top ten groups who had reported cases of TB in New York in 2008. For more information about TB please check out:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/tb/tb.shtml

Visit to the State Capitol
Once again, our community organizer Narbada Chhetri visited the NY State Senate and Assembly along with the members of DWU to push for the passage of the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. This was yet another effort by the Domestic Workers United and its partner organizations to ensure the passage of the bill. She got an opportunity meet several senators and assembly members, and advocated for the rights of domestic workers in New York and Nepali communities. She had also visited Albany in February and will be visiting again on April 28, 2009 with other Adhikaar members. Please join us in supporting the rights and dignity of domestic workers.

If you cannot come to Albany with us, please:-
Stand with domestic workers by calling Albany legislators to become co-sponsors of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

Call the following legislators and say: "My name is _________________, and I'm calling to urge you to help pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Bill numbers A1470/S2311 this legislative session. Tomorrow, hundreds of domestic workers and their supporters will come to Albany for a day of action and education. Please work with them to move the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to the floor for a vote."
Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver: (518)-455-3791
Chair of Labor Committee Assemblywoman Susan John: (518)-455-4527
Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith: (518)-455-2701
Chair of Labor Committee Senator George Onorato: (518)-455-3486

Small Business Workshop
In response to community demand, Adhikaar organized a “How to Start a Small Business” workshop. Due to increasing unemployment and exploitation in the name of economic crisis, some of the community members were interested in gaining more knowledge about how to become a small business entrepreneur, whereas others who had some resources needed guidance regarding state laws and procedures. The workshop was facilitated by a long-time Adhikaar supporter Sanman Thapa. He walked the participants through the legal process and distributed information on obtaining different licenses. According to one of the participants Birendra Manandhar, “Eevery time you want information, it costs time and money but this workshop gave me a lot of useful information at once and for free.”

Upcoming Events
1. Adhikaar Happy Hour
Date: April 15, 2009 (Wednesday)
Time: 5:00pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Whiskey Traders (71 W 55th St (between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)

2. Adhikaar Youth Group Movie Screening- “It’ not all about sex”
Date: April 17, 2009 (Friday)
Time: 3.30pm
Venue: Adhikaar Office

3. Adhikaar New Year Celebration Potluck
Date: April 19, 2009
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Adhikaar Office