Overview vs Realview

Project Baala
3 min readApr 22, 2024

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I joined Project Baala organization as an implementation lead in 2024. In a nutshell, Project Baala is systematically transforming menstrual hygiene practices for economically marginalized menstruators. Their unique bundle of interventions lead to quadruple benefits of improved health, education, empowerment and environmental outcomes. I have to look after all the on ground implementation, whether it’s conducting surveys with our beneficiaries, workshops for our beneficiaries, conducting programs for volunteers, beneficiaries online or offline mode, follow — ups and monitoring all the projects.

Before Baala, I have worked with three different organizations in youth development, livelihood, education and health domains. In particular, I made 11 youth clubs in Mumbai locations and handled MHHM projects on community to block level, executed large scale projects on district level and all work done with government lined departments officials. So, I am going to share my glimpse of happiness, the reality and the things that should be changed.

Baala has one project in Maharashtra that we are executing with our partner organization. As with all projects, before starting we need to check the requirements of the projects, and so we conducted our baseline survey. Through this article, I want to share my real field experiences, lets get into it!

It took me 2 hours to get from my house to the location! First I took Rikshaw to reach Malad railway station then I caught a train from Malad to Dadar railway station, after that I changed railway line from Western line to Central line i.e. Dadar to Kurla railway station. After that I changed railway lines from Central to Harbour line i.e. Kurla to GTB Nagar, and afterwards GTB Nagar Railway station to Kokari Aagar (15min walking distance).

Then we met our partner organization volunteers who joined us for support because the area was new for me. The first day was hectic and long because it takes 15–20 for one survey. Also women got frustrated. They questioned us, why are you here, you are from the government, are you only taking our information? Is there any way to get pregnant? Do you know the best hospitals for it? These types of questions they were asking repeatedly. This only showcased the anxiety a lot of underserved women have when it comes to information about their health and wellbeing.

On the 2nd day, we had a lot of energy and we already knew the scenario from the 1st day. So, we were able to complete the surveys comfortably.

On the 3rd day, we needed to collect qualitative survey data from women via focused group discussions. In that particular location there is no community center or ground where we could conduct the survey. So, our partner organization built rapport with some women from the community. We adjusted in 2 houses and did our survey.

By then I had already covered 50% of the survey but still needed to cover the rest of the survey (and in my pocket only one day left!) We have a structured timeline for every task and I didn’t want to break that timeline.

We are working in the social development sector, so we have our responsibilities and it’s our duty to do our work, whatever or even in any uncertain situation. Make and adapt: make quick decisions and adjust to situations whenever you are in field work.

So, I got up and did all the surveys with the help of 2 supportive women, and left the location at 11:30am.

We are hoping this project will impact all bodies of waste management as well as the mindset towards menstruation.

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Project Baala
Project Baala

Written by Project Baala

Project Baala is an innovative menstrual health solution provider.