Case Study No. 1

L B Prakash is a development professional, having graduated from the prestigious Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), Anand in 1990. Over the past 15 years, Prakash has been working with rural farmers and women and has been involved in promoting processing and marketing cooperatives of paddy farmers. In June 2005, he was invited by the Springfield Centre in Glasgow, United Kingdom, to attend a training programme over a three week period in July 2005, titled 'Making Markets Work for Business and Income Growth'. Whilst tuition fees of the programme were covered through the USAID AMAP scholarship fund, Prakash required financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.08 lakhs towards living expenses during the course period, besides Rs. 36,176 towards his return international airfare. Looking into the nature of the programme, its relevance to the Indian context and the impact it would have on Prakash's career, the Trust sanctioned Rs. 35,000 towards his partial international airfare. The training programme provided Prakash with an excellent opportunity to meet various people from different countries and get acquainted with the activities of their organisations. Upon his return, he submitted a well documented account of his participation in the training programme.

Case Study No. 2

Oihika Chakrabarti, a Bombay based Art Psychotherapist was invited to present a paper at the Risky Business Symposium, which focussed on using creative arts as an intervention activity for young people at risk. This international forum was scheduled over a two day period during October 2005 at the School of Creative Arts, University of Melbourne, Australia. Her paper, titled 'Inner Spaces' focussed on a cross- cultural art therapy study of children/youth at risk, in the Indian context. This presentation was drawn out of the experience of using art psychotherapy processes with 'high risk' diverse population groups within institutionalised settings and vulnerable spaces. The study aimed to uncover the needs of trafficked minor girls, runaways, victims of abuse, children in conflict with the law and their issues related to institutionalisation. It also provided insights into the efficacy of creative arts therapeutic interventions with these groups. Positioned with the Indian population as a backdrop, the study provided scope for reflection on certain interesting cross-cultural views. The presentation was very well received and commended for the pioneering work initiated in this field in India. The Trust gave a travel grant of Rs. 40,000 that reimbursed Oihika's to and fro international airfare.