By Rajlaxmi Dash | Project Leader
Boudh & Bolangir Districtsof Odisha have a history of a cute migration. Of late there is a sudden surge in jobless migrant labourers in the areas due to lockdown. We reached out to 1500 families of migrant labourers, daily wage earners and single parents across the district and provided relief packages consisting of Dry Ration and Sanitation kits (Soaps, Masksand Antiseptic liquid) across 183 villages.
We have identified 2 volunteers from each village and trained them on sanitation protocols essential during COVID 19 who further train and ensure the villagers follow them as a regular practice.
In a rural setup, the lockdown raised typical issues. The farmers were unable to sell their produce for which they faced heavy losses and on the other hand the buyers couldn't drive down to the local markets due to restrictions on vehicle movement!
YCDA came up with a solution which is no more limited to urban areas! VEGETABLES ON WHEELS!
SHGs production groups with continuous support from ORMAS, Agriculture Production Cluster (APC), Panchayat Samiti sold over 2400 Kgs of fresh vegetables and fruits in 28 villages.
Lockdown caused inaccessibility and scarcity of sanitary products such as sanitary pads, soaps and shampoo for the adolescent girls. In order to mitigate the inaccessibility and scarcity of sanitary napkins, we initiated the social marketing of Sanitary napkins by Adolescent groups. Peer leaders and adolescent groups will handle the products under YCDA’s supervision. This will also cater to the need of other age group females.
Adolescents in the families are helping their youngsters & caregivers to understand on the diseases. Our adolescent Aftercare children support the community peoples by preparing masks &make people aware on the importance of use of mask. They are in a mission to prepare as many masks as people and reach out to as many people as possible across communities.
With the support of Local PRIs, Health workers (ASHA, AWW), Adolescents in the villages get involved in the war against the COVID 19 through sealing the entry points of the villages & teach people on hand washing and ensure people practice home quarantine after someone is returning to the villages.
Puspa, a Care giver of a child in Family based care of YCDA, Boudh district expresses her pleasure to be involved in the fight against COVID-19.“After my husband’s death, my family have gone through tremendous hardships which motivates me to work on such issues so that I could save more lives. Ever since I came to know from YCDA & Health workers (ASHA,AWW) of our village that Corona Virus can be prevented through maintaining proper protocols of sanitation, Social distancing & stay at home, I immediately decided to join the battle. As a SHG member of Jay Maa Mangala SHG Group, I expressed my interest to participate in the campaign & supporting in sensitizing the community towards hand wash practices. Currently our group serves free cooked food to the old& children in need of care.”
SHG groups promoted by YCDA with the support of NABARD-Boudh have been playing a key role to contain Corona virus in their respective villages. From early March each member of the 3 SHGs divide responsibility among themselves to create awareness on COVI-19 at household level and circulate the leaflet on how to combat Coranavirus. Looking the interest & energy of the SHG members Sarpanch of Khuntigura and Khamanmunda GP entrusted the responsibility to provide cooked food to the destitute of their respective village.
Initiatives by SHG members: provide cooked food to the destitute while creating awareness on sanitation protocols and social distancing
Our women warriors have been serving over 300 meals everyday at the moment!
Hand washing a way of life!
While staying in a close-knit setup, practicing social distancing was not always possible. And hand washing was a just an insignificant practice among the children. With YCDA’s practical demonstration and frequent follow-up, hand washing has become a way of life for our children living in institutions as well as in family-based care setups. Currently the self-consciousness has helped the children to wash their hands more frequently and maintain 1-arm-length distance from their friends and families.
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