By Anshu Gupta | Founder Director
Free educational coaching centers; In the rehabilitation phase of our work, as Goonj started looking at the gap areas in the rehabilitation work we found that school children were the worst sufferers as their schools remained closed for critical 2 months post floods. In our first of kind foray, we initiated free winter coaching for students of Srinagar and surrounding areas from December 2014 as the schools were formally closed for three months due to winters. This programme benefited 1283 children in Kashmir who were provided free subject notes and subject material. 9 local educational institutions located at Shalteng, Qamarwari, Chanapora, Rajbagh, Karan Nagar, Interior of Dal Lake, Lasjan, Nai Sarak in Srinagar District and Kakpora in Pulwama district joined hands with Goonj in this cause. The coaching went on till end of February 2015.
Plan of action; For the next phase Goonj team visited other areas including Jammu. 21 education institutions have been explored with whom we plan to partner for Computer Centers, Academic Libraries, Scientific laboratories, Recreation Centers, Toy centers, Reading rooms, Skill Development Centers and Counseling center for Assessments, Examinations & Careers.
Winter Kits Distribution; During Chilai Kalan (extreme cold period during five months of winters) not only in the night but often in the day also the temperature went below zero. During this time Goonj prepared and distributed special winter kits consisting of blankets, Daris, clothing, shoes, toiletry and nutritional supplements to 15000 families including solar lights etc. We are targeting to reach these winter kits to at least 5000-8000 more families in the coming time. While 3315 pairs of good quality mattress & quilts were distributed among the needy, 1083 high quality female pherans specially designed to protect against J&K severe winters were also given.
Medical Camps with Government Hospitals and medical fratenity; J&K Health Department gynecologists, ENT specialists, surgeons, orthopedicians, pediatricians, geriatricians and general physicians conducted multiple health camps in different parts of Kashmir immediately after the floods while Goonj provided medical supplies and medicines.
Common diseases noticed were Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Acute Gastro Enteritis, Asthma, Hypertension and Urinary Tract Infection. One of the doctors’ commented, “I really appreciate the quality and quantity of medicines provided.”
Critical care medicine was also distributed to poor and needy in collaboration with Specialists from SKIMS (Sher-i Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences), Government Medical Colleges & Associated Hospitals. Many of these highly qualified doctors volunteered for Goonj's day long Medical camps during the initial days of the floods. More than 30 medicals camps were also conducted in medical collaboration with Borderless World Foundation in October, November and December, last year.
During the recent swine flu epidemic in J&K , as precautionary measures around 500 masks were channelized to Sanat Nagar and Bagat areas in Srinagar city by Goonj.
Plan of action; We will be distributing 40000 rubber gloves to Safai cleanliness workers across the city of Srinagar later this month. Starting 8th April 2015, we plan to organize 25 medical camps in Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama Districts in partnership with Doctors for You.
NJPC and menstrual hygiene awareness Awareness sessions about menstrual hygiene and management were also conducted with ASHA workers. The health workers spoke of the taboos that every woman faces and their desire to talk to women in their areas.
Work with migrant laborers; Goonj has been regularly reaching out much needed winter kits and other material to migrant laborers in different parts of Kashmir. We are now planning to work more extensively with them on initiatives like Cloth for Work etc.
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