|
Sishu Bikash Prakalpa Project APRIL 2007 to MARCH 2008
The Magdalene Foundation has initiated its first project working with Development Action Society (DAS), an Indian non Governmental Organisation. The Development Action Society (DAS) has been working in the fields of education, health, vocational training, and SHG in areas of South East Kolkata since 1995.
DAS currently operates 6 NFE Centers ,8 Sikhalaya (alternate Government Schools) 13 Coaching Centers,5 Vocational Training Centers for mothers, 1 Child Labour School and Tracking in 29 KPSC Schools to retain primary school pupils. Other awareness raising programs are also undertaken by DAS including Education, AIDS, Early Marriage, Immunizations and Child Labour in order to enhance the knowledge and meet the needs of the community.
Through the support of the Magdalene Foundation, DAS's targeted area will be in Chailabi, located beside the Dhapa-Dumping area (main city dump for Kolkata).
This area is a semi rural and devoid of many facilities enjoyed by the Kolkata Municipal Council areas. The total population of the area is 1500 being comprised of 350 men, 300 females and 850 children.
There is only 1 primary school for 2 neighbouring areas of Chainabi. There is no high school or health centre, and the nearest market is 3 kms away with limited communication as the nearest bus stop is 5 kms away. The area has no electricity or clean drinking water supply, with few Tube wells supplying contaminated water. The area, and those adjoining, does not have any medical facilities or registered doctors, with the nearest hospital being 20-30 kms away, which, because of poor transportation, is inaccessible to the majority of individuals residing there.
The primary occupation for the male inhabitants is fishing or jobs associated with fishing. (A high proportion of men, estimated to be approximately 90%, abuse alcohol which results in premature death) The only occupation available to women is rag picking and it is estimated that approximately 40% are involved in this type of work. This number increases to about 50% during the pre rainy season (monsoon) and winter season for the collection of material for fuel. When parents are out at work, children are left at home in vulnerable conditions which sometimes lead to fatal accidents. As there are no educational facilities in the area, parents cannot send their children to a school (or crèche) which could offer a protective environment whilst they are away working.
With the financial support of the Magdalene Foundation, DAS has established
· A pre school crèche for children aged between 1½ to 6 years
· A basic Health Clinic for children and mothers
The crèche facility will also provide:-
· Training on ADL (activities of Daily Living)
· Health and hygiene.
· Monitoring of height and weight of children.
· Establishment of toy corner for the children.
· Pre School education for children aged between 3 to 6yrs, preparing them for mainstreaming.
· Weekly health clinic for community mothers and children
· Referral services and follows ups for critical diseases.
· Basic Immunisation schedules, including follow up
· Maintenance and monitoring of height and weight of children and mothers.
Regular awareness raising programme will also be organised for mothers in the community on issues including:-
· Early Marriage,
· Effects of Alcohol misuse
· Immunization Schedules,
· HIV AIDS,
· Tuberculosis,
· Child Rights
· Trafficking.
The following personnel will be funded by Magdalene Foundation including:-
2 Teachers to prepare children for Government School admission, engage the children through various play and sensory activity to assist their motor and intellectual development.
1 Doctor to run health check ups for children on a part time basis
1 Health Worker to support the doctor and liase with the government health care system for referrals and emergency cases
1 Cook to prepare low-cost nutritious food for children
1 Helper to assist the cook and the teachers and manage the centre
1 Coordinator responsible to manage the education and health programme
1 Project Director responsible for overall programmes and liaison with the donor organisation
Funding has been agreed by Magdalene Foundation initially for one year with regular evaluation on a three monthly basis. It is anticipated that funding will continue on the basis of positive evaluation and review.
|
|
