Physical Health India Project #1881

Life Saving Treatment to Children in Rural India

by Seva Mandir

Project Report | Jan 3, 2023
Let the New Year Bring Happiness to Everyone

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Happy New Year

Dear Friend,

From all of us here in Seva Mandir we wish you and your family Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the New Year bring to you lots of love, laughter, and joy.

Your generosity is bringing cheer and hope to so many. Thank you from Seva Mandir on behalf of 500,000 villagers we work with in Southern Rajasthan.

Malnutrition is the leading cause of child mortality in India. Between 40 and 50% of child deaths under the age of five are due to malnourishment. 60% of children in Seva Mandir’s work area are suffering from some form of malnutrition.

Here I would like to tell you about Seema (name changed) who was just 1 year old when she began suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and a high fever. She was brought to a community health centre where she was diagnosed as being Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and referred to the Seva Mandir supported Malnourishment Treatment Center (MTC) by the doctor, who advised that she be admitted as soon as possible as her condition was critical. She had not been eating properly and was losing weight.

Her mother was unaware of the devastating effects of malnutrition and thought that her daughter was suffering from a minor ailment and would recover soon. Seema was admitted weighing just over 5kg, putting her in the most critical category. She stayed at the MTC for 13 days and started showing signs of recovery soon after her treatment began. She began to eat food which was rich in energy, fat and protein. When she was discharged from the MTC after 13 days she weighed 5.4kg, could hold her head up, which she was unable to do before, and was much more active. She is now healthy and in a normal nutritional category.

This new life for Seema has only been made possible because of the support Seva Mandir receives from well-wishers like you. However, there are many more children like Seema who are still in danger and need your support.

This New Year, you can give the gift of life to a child like Meera. Afterall, it only takes $10 to support the treatment of 1 malnourished child.

We would like to thank you from the bottom of our heart for joining hands with us. Once again wish you and your family a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Best Wishes,

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

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Nov 27, 2022
Nobel Laureate & J-Pal Group visited Seva Mandir

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Dear Friend,

Recently, Seva Mandir was elated to welcome 2019 Nobel Laureate Prof. Abhijeet Banerjee, Economist, Director J-Pal (The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) and Mohammad Abdul Latif Jameel, Chairman and CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel Group and J-Pal team. This visit was a special visit for both parties due to the exciting exchange of thoughts and ideas shared on the mutual interest in the development of rural communities in Rajasthan.

Prof. Banerjee and Seva Mandir have had a longstanding and strong relationship since 1996. The Nobel laureate has worked extensively on studying various development problems and has helped in contributing to their solutions.

The few days of their Udaipur visit were jam-packed with visits and productive discussions. The J-PAL team, along with Seva Mandir’s team, traveled to remote villages Jalpaka and Jhabla; where they were formally introduced to Seva Mandir’s initiatives including natural resources, early childcare and nutrition, women empowerment and education.

A notable highlight of the visit was Prof. Banerjee’s enthusiastic discussion at a women’s Self Help Group (SHG) regarding the growing challenges of poverty and need for climate action in vulnerable regions and communities such as theirs.

During the community discussion, Prof. Banerjee vocalized, “Climate change and water scarcity are global challenges,and it will worsen in future. In India, the rural community has vast knowledge of water related challenges and its solutions. I look forward to understanding community perspectives and suggestions on tackling the future challenges and its solutions. This democratic approach will enable us to find collaborative solutions to the future challenges.”

Thank you so much for all your faith and continuous support to our programme.

Best Wishes,

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir team

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Sep 7, 2022
Working Towards Treatment of Malnutrition

By Atul Lekhra | Programme Incharge

Neha, a young and cheerful 4-year-old girl, has an experience of medical care administered through Seva Mandir camps. Her father, who is an agricultural laborer takes care, alongside his wife, of Neha and her younger sister. Despite their efforts, both daughters suffer from malnutrition from combined causes of infrastructure absence and rural poverty. Neha and her sister accompany each other to Seva Mandir’s health camps, where vital care is given from nurses and our Balsakhi (women trained by Seva Mandir to provide care to children 0-5, advice Mothers, identify problems and refer cases for further treatment as appropriate).

More than 60% of children in rural and tribal areas of south Rajasthan are malnourished. Like many other infants in her village, Neha was a patient of diarrhoea caused by malnutrition through decreased nutrient absorption. She receives two daily meals from the Seva Mandir caretaker ensuring her dietary requirements are met by providing her with carbohydrates, protein, iron and other vital minerals. Neha now weighs 12 kgs, showing she is well nourished and with continuous striving from family and nurses, she will soon live a healthy and prosperous life. Her parents were also counselled on prevention of malnutrition during the camp. Had your support not been there, we would have not been able to help Neha and many more children like her.

We are happy to share that we are participating in GlobalGiving’s September Little by Little Campaign which will last 5 days, from from September 12, 2022, at 00:00:00 EDT to September 16, 2022, at 23:59:59 EDT. All eligible donations of up to $50 USD will be matched at 50% for the duration of the campaign. Therefore, every donation will have deeper impact and will enable us to reach out to more children in need.

A contribution as small as $10 from you can support the treatment for 1 malnourished child. We do hope that you will once again extend your generous support towards less privileged children living in this part of the world.

Thank you,

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir team

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