Empowering Girls with Seedball Initiative: ISCI Foundation's Green Future

On March 4, 2025, ISCI Foundation, in collaboration with Jodo India Social Foundation, led a transformative program that intertwined two vital causes—empowering young girls and fostering environmental sustainability. Held at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Bari, located in the heart of Dholpur district, Rajasthan, the event brought together over 600 adolescent girls to participate in a Seed Ball Preparation cum Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Program. The result was a powerful example of integrated community outreach that leaves a lasting mark both on the land and in young minds.

A Dual-Purpose Program: Health & Environment

The program was centered around the creation of seed balls—a low-cost, high-impact method for afforestation. Using locally available materials like black soil, compost, and native seeds such as Babool and Belpatra, the participating girls collectively prepared an astounding 18,300 seedball. These seed balls will be used in upcoming monsoon plantation drives across barren and degraded lands in the region, revitalizing ecosystems and contributing to biodiversity.

Simultaneously, the program aimed to break the silence around a critical but often stigmatized issue: menstrual health. The menstrual hygiene awareness session, led under the guidance of Dr. Veena Pradhan, a long-standing expert collaborator with ISCI Foundation, educated the participants about proper menstrual care, hygiene products, and debunked harmful myths.

Reusable sanitary napkins were distributed to every girl attending the program, promoting both hygiene and sustainability. These eco-friendly products align with ISCI's ongoing environmental focus while ensuring long-term support for adolescent girls in low-income communities.

Voices That Lead the Change

ISCI Foundation Director Sweta Modi captured the essence of the event with profound insight: “By combining health awareness with environmental sustainability, we are not only planting seeds in the soil but also in the minds of young girls, fostering resilience and a greener tomorrow.”

Volunteers Kartik, Aryan, Muskan, and Khanak played a pivotal role in making this program a success. Their tireless efforts included organizing materials, leading instructional sessions, managing logistics, and offering moral support to the girls.

The open discussion format of the awareness session encouraged the students to speak freely and confidently about menstruation—a subject many were hesitant to even mention before. Educational videos and interactive demonstrations helped foster a safe and supportive environment, where no question was off-limits.

The MAASI Initiative: A Deeper Commitment

This program also falls under ISCI Foundation’s broader MAASI (Menstrual Awareness And Sanitation Initiative), which seeks to address period poverty and menstrual health misinformation in India’s underserved communities. MAASI has touched thousands of lives through school programs, awareness campaigns, vending machine installations, and reusable pad distributions.

The Dholpur event exemplifies MAASI’s mission: to normalize menstrual health conversations and provide dignified solutions. When young girls understand their bodies and have access to the resources they need, their attendance in schools improves, their self-esteem grows, and their futures brighten.

An Ongoing Environmental Legacy

Environmental stewardship has long been a core pillar of ISCI Foundation’s mission. From tree plantation drives in urban and rural schools to city beautification efforts, the foundation integrates sustainability into every level of its programming.

The seed ball initiative in Dholpur adds a new chapter to this legacy. By engaging students directly in the act of creating seed balls, the program instilled a sense of environmental responsibility and hands-on knowledge. These girls are now not only carriers of awareness but active participants in climate action.

Community Support and Institutional Collaboration

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the school’s principal and teaching staff. Their cooperation ensured a smooth and impactful event, encouraging full participation and providing logistical support for both the seed ball and health education activities.

The partnership with Jodo India Social Foundation also amplified the program’s reach. Their commitment to sustainable development and social equity aligned perfectly with ISCI’s vision, creating a synergy that maximized community impact.

What Lies Ahead

The success of this dual-purpose program in Dholpur is not an endpoint but a beginning. In the coming months, ISCI Foundation plans to:

• Monitor the planting and growth of seed balls during the monsoon season.

• Conduct follow-up sessions in the same school to evaluate the menstrual hygiene program's effectiveness.

• Expand similar programs to other districts in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

• Launch youth-led eco-clubs to keep the spirit of environmental responsibility alive among school students.

  
  

A Ripple of Change

What happened on March 4 was more than just a program—it was a movement. A movement toward a greener planet, a healthier adolescence, and a more equitable society. The blend of environmental education and menstrual hygiene awareness showcased the power of integrated, grassroots action.

Each seed ball made, each reusable pad distributed, and each conversation held about menstrual health serves as a ripple in a larger wave of change.

As we reflect on this inspiring day, one thing is clear: with the right resources, education, and community spirit, real transformation is not only possible—it is inevitable.

Stay tuned as ISCI Foundation continues to grow these seeds of change across the country.

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