Economic Growth India Project #9343

CRHP Project Villages

by Comprehensive Rural Health Project

Project Report | Jan 25, 2013
Updates from the field

By Mandana Salimian | Communications and Development Intern

Dr. Pushpa performing routine post-natal checkup

The newest addition to CRHP's project villages, Wadgaon Tanpura has received undivided attention from our Mobile Health Team/Clinic staff, and of course, the generous community of Global Giving.

Based on a discussion with the village ‘sarpanch’, and the Farmers' Club members, the MHT has identified a few problems in Wadgaon Tanpura, amongst which poor sanitation and unemployment stand out the most. Water scarcity is the main contributing factor to inadequate sanitation in the village; however, it can be abbreviated by implementing a few measures including latrine construction and watershed development. CRHP has offered monetary assistance and its expertise in carrying out both projects and the village community has offered workforce and upkeep in return. But the high costs of these projects remain to be a major obstacle, requiring our kind donors to step in and help CRHP in its endeavours to enhance the current problems in Wadgaon Tanpura.

In the last visits, an average of 15 women has joined the Women's Group (Mahila Mandal) discussions on sanitation, hygiene, prevention and treatment of childhood illnesses. All the women have been very vocal in sharing their concerns, and enthusiastic about participation. Moreover, a Self-Help Group has also been established where the women come together and help one another with small loans to purchase goats, cows, sewing machines, and shops. With access to these resources, they are able to earn more income and reduce their family's poverty. Self Help Groups are a crucial component of CRHP's development approach as they can raise the economic status of families that would otherwise be forced to migrate to nearby towns and cities for employment. Through SHGs the problem of unemployment can be addressed in ways to include women as income generators, therefore, reducing gender barriers.

We immensely value the role our donors play in supporting CRHP’s mission. We want you to be involved in every step of the way, and welcome your suggestions, comments and words of courage, for they brace our determination and purpose.

Please visit our Facebook page for updates on various projects and happenings at CRHP:

http://www.facebook.com/CRHP.India

Women's Group meeting

Social mapping

Links:

Check our website to find out more about what we do

Permalink

Sep 25, 2012
Village Visit and VHW Training

By Ellen Luo | International Development Manager

Dr. Reddi taking blood pressure of local farmer

Report from Wadgaon Tanpura

There were many beginnings in the first 3 weeks of September. The CRHP Mobile Health Team and Clinic started their bi-weekly visits to Wadgaon Tanpura and the two selected VHWs completed two weeks of intensive training. The first two visits of the MHT/C brought many in the community together to discuss health and development needs. The Clinic saw on average 25 patients at each visit, some have not seen a doctor in many months. We are seeing a variety of conditions that range from vitamin deficiency and diabetes for the elderly to a child's heart condition that require surgery.

At each visit the team works with the village leaders to practice conducting social mapping of each household in the respective hamlet (there are 4 hamlets in this village). This information records members of each household providing demographic knowledge that will inform decision-making. The layout of a village tells us a lot about the power structure and dynamics of communities. This is also a great way for the village leadership to learn more about their community.

Due to the distance of Wadgaon Tanpura (over 1 hour drive), the team leaves the CRHP campus at 8:30am and returns at 4pm, making sure to bring lunch with us. The village leadership continues to be extremely supportive, welcoming us to their homes with offerings of tea and food.

This is the first week of post-training for the new VHWs. Both are excited about how they can bring their new knowledge to help their community. They will both be assigned a senior VHW from another village to mentor them as they start the most difficult aspect of their work: community mobilization.

Please visit our facebook page for more images of VHW training:

http://www.facebook.com/CRHP.India

Distributing medicines

Anemia testing for pregnant woman

Male leadership doing social mapping

Weighting Children

Permalink

Aug 27, 2012
Wadgaon Tanpura Progress Report

By Ellen Luo | International Development Manager

Mayor leading the village tour

On Saturday 25 August, senior staff members that included, Jayesh Kambale, Ratna Kambel, Yoseph Pandit and Ellen Luo conducted a village visit to Wadgaon Tanpura. The CRHP team met in the home of the village mayor that included the Block Education Officer, selected village health worker (VHW) candidates and a dozen farmers.

This is a very critical moment for this village of 295 households (each household has on average 6 individuals) that is scattered in 4 hamlets within a 2-kilometer radius. The water shortage is of foremost importance as drought conditions still persist even as monsoon has officially started. Of the 150 wells in the village, 100 are dry. The government is trucking in drinking water however, the ground remain parch and unable to produce much needed subsistence crops. These farmers rely on annual crops to feed their families. This year they are expecting an 80% loss that has been confirmed by local government.

There are currently three candidates for 2 VHW spots. The three women met with us, bringing their children and husbands. Due to the commitment and intensity of the training, husbands are required to be part of the decision-making and the whole family has to be knowledgeable of what is expected of a VHW. We also brought along Shalanbai Lashkar from Bahirowadi village who has been a VHW since 1997 to speak with these candidates. VHW intensive training will begin on the CRHP Campus, Sept 10^th for two straight weeks. Then once a week trainings will follow.

In addition to VHW selection and training, starting on September 3^rd, CRHP’s Mobile Health Clinic/Team will start its bi-weekly rounds, providing health services and development support to the village. Due to the 50 Kilometer distance (1 hour drive) from CRHP’s campus, each visit to Wadgaon Tanpura will have both Clinic and Development Team members.

Discussion of Watershed development and sanitation was also covered. However, our first step is to have local farmers assess community need by conducting a Participatory Rapid/Rural Appraisal (PRA). Only then will we be able to make informed and educated choices with the full support of all in the community. This social mapping will cultivate the capacity of community leaders to communicate and assess community need as well as develop a stronger bond with each family.

We have high hopes for Wadgaon Tanpura because of their community unity and supportive mayor and local government. Fortunately for the village, it has a mayor who is fully in service of the people. A year ago, the mayor tragically lost his young son in a tracker accident. “We offered him counsel but he was very heartbroken and lost meaning in life. However, with our support, he has now renewed his spirit and has decided to dedicate his life to his community.” Says Jayesh Kambale, CRHP Training Manager and leader of this project.

We hope that you will continue to support this project village in their drive for improved health and self-reliance. Please donate today to help make this a reality.

Speaking with community at primary school

Parch Land

Drilling Deeper for water

VHW Candidates

Women and children in the shade

Permalink

‹ 1 2 3 4 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.