Month: November 2022

New Delhi, Sep 9 An NGO has set up a health camp in a flood-affected district of Kerala to reduce the “health-related vulnerabilities of disaster affected people”, it said in a statement.

The camp was set-up earlier this month in Kamanna, Waynad, by the Smile Foundation and has catered to over 186 patients, including 104 women, the NGo said in a statement.

The number of children enrolled at the camp are 61, it said, adding services include routine medical check-up, a glucose test, weight check, blood pressure check-up and medicine distribution.

As many as 38 patients have been directed to government hospitals through a referral system, it said.

People came with symptoms such as weakness, anaemia, joint pain, body pain, skin infection, allergies, gastric pain and headache.

Some also complained of urinary tract infection, lower back-ache, dental problems, deworming, neurological issues, thyroid and gynaecological problems, ophthalmology problems and ENT problems, the statement added.

An NGO has set up a health camp in a flood-affected district of Kerala to reduce the “health-related vulnerabilities of disaster affected people”, it said in a statement.

The camp was set-up earlier this month in Kamanna, Waynad, by the Smile Foundation and has catered to over 186 patients, including 104 women, the NGo said in a statement.

The number of children enrolled at the camp are 61, it said, adding services include routine medical check-up, a glucose test, weight check, blood pressure check-up and medicine distribution.

As many as 38 patients have been directed to government hospitals through a referral system, it said.

People came with symptoms such as weakness, anaemia, joint pain, body pain, skin infection, allergies, gastric pain and headache.

Some also complained of urinary tract infection, lower back-ache, dental problems, deworming, neurological issues, thyroid and gynaecological problems, ophthalmology problems and ENT problems, the statement added.

New Delhi, Sep 9 An NGO has set up a health camp in a flood-affected district of Kerala to reduce the “health-related vulnerabilities of disaster affected people”, it said in a statement.

The camp was set-up earlier this month in Kamanna, Waynad, by the Smile Foundation and has catered to over 186 patients, including 104 women, the NGo said in a statement.

The number of children enrolled at the camp are 61, it said, adding services include routine medical check-up, a glucose test, weight check, blood pressure check-up and medicine distribution.

As many as 38 patients have been directed to government hospitals through a referral system, it said.

People came with symptoms such as weakness, anaemia, joint pain, body pain, skin infection, allergies, gastric pain and headache.

Some also complained of urinary tract infection, lower back-ache, dental problems, deworming, neurological issues, thyroid and gynaecological problems, ophthalmology problems and ENT problems, the statement added.

New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) An NGO has set up a health camp in a flood-affected district of Kerala to reduce the “health-related vulnerabilities of disaster affected people”, it said in a statement. The camp was set-up earlier this month in Kamanna, Waynad, by the Smile Foundation and has catered to over 186 patients, including 104 women, the NGo said in a statement.

The number of children enrolled at the camp are 61, it said, adding services include routine medical check-up, a glucose test, weight check, blood pressure check-up and medicine distribution.

As many as 38 patients have been directed to government hospitals through a referral system, it said.

People came with symptoms such as weakness, anaemia, joint pain, body pain, skin infection, allergies, gastric pain and headache.

Some also complained of urinary tract infection, lower back-ache, dental problems, deworming, neurological issues, thyroid and gynaecological problems, ophthalmology problems and ENT problems, the statement added.

The massive floods in the state claimed over 400 lives, with thousands stranded due to the devastation caused by it. PTI SLB SLB TVS

New Delhi, September 8, 2018: India’s educational system has long since needed an urgent review to meet the growing demand for quality, contemporary and high-tech system, accessible to more children across the country. If we look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Right to Education Act 2010, SDG-4 promises to achieve “inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A (The RTE Act) in the Constitution of India, to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine. There is, therefore, a need for a mechanism that addresses the current challenges of shortage of teachers, access to quality schools, lack of creative educational material and the inability of numerous children to go to school due to various factors. Additionally, children and youth in India have become increasingly technology-driven, revealing considerable potential and readiness to imbibe and learn through digital media. This is a gap which has to be addressed by strengthening India’s technological infrastructure.

Every year, World Literacy Day is celebrated on September 8, 2018. The objective is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies as it the key tool needed to drive socio– economic progress. Education is both the means as well as the end to a better life; means – because it empowers an individual to earn his/her livelihood and the end because it increases one’s awareness on a range of issues – from healthcare to appropriate social behaviour to understanding one’s rights, and in the process, evolve as a better citizen.

According to the 2011 Census, India had a literacy rate of 80.9 percent (for men) and 64.60 percent (for women). India faces several challenges when it comes to implementing literacy programmes. These include the availability of schools within the vicinity in rural areas, the lack of proper sanitation and drinking, dearth of qualified teachers, inadequate funding provided by invested stakeholders, caste and religious disparities, and gender-based inequalities.

Smile Foundation, a civil society organisation, proactively works towards providing education for underprivileged children. It launched its Mission Education programme in 2002, benefitting over 20,000 children in the last few years. It is committed to providing basic education and healthcare to underprivileged children. The Foundation believes that whether it is addressing healthcare, poverty, population control, unemployment or human rights; there is no better place to start than in the corridors of education.

Smile Foundation’s educational initiatives include Pre-school [3-6 yrs], Non Formal Education [6-14 yrs non-school going], Remedial Education [6-14 yrs school going] and Bridge Course [14-18 yrs drop-outs]. It works to educate underprivileged children who are under difficult circumstances, such as child labour, children of the poorest parents, children inflicted and affected with HIV/AIDS, street and runaway children, children with rare disabilities, disaster struck children, and slum children. Special emphasis is given on girl education and women education so that they and their families are empowered.

Co- Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation – Santanu Mishra believes that early childhood education and development is an imperative to meet the Sustainable Development Goals

Source : http://indiacsr.in/digital-education-can-bring-transformation-rural-india/

Help is pouring in from all quarters to Kerala and its people after the worst floods in more than a century hit the state. However, as there are many organisations out there lending a helping hand to the flood victims, it could happen that there are a few looking at conning people. So, make sure you donate via genuine aid agencies that are registered. An added benefit of going through such organisations is that you can get a tax break.

According to a PTI report, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) accepts voluntary contributions from individuals, organisations and trusts. All contributions towards this fund will get tax benefit under section 80G. “For non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it depends if they have exemption under the Income Tax Act. If so, 80G allows 50 per cent tax benefit”, he said.

The PTI report states that in order to facilitate speedy issue of 80G income tax receipts, donors should provide the transaction details of donations deposited directly in any of the PMNRF collection banks along with the address of the donor through e-mail at pmnrf@gov.in

PUNE: Several organisations and NGOs like Smile Foundation,CARE India, Fortis Healthcare have been wording in flood-affected Kerala to organise volunteers, obtain relief material and help the survivors in adversely affected areas during the recent floods there.

Read also: What to do after a flood

For instance, SEEDS or Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society, is getting in touch with the affected communities and providing support. the action plan by SEEDS is being executed in two phases, ‘relief’ being phase 1 and ‘early recovery’ being phase two.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/pune-ngos-help-kerala-through-flood-crisis/articleshow/65503798.cms

Ravaged by heavy rain followed by floods distressed the normal life and caused havoc damage in Kerala. Reacting to the pressing needs, the disaster response team of Smile Foundation, a national level development organisation, has actively started aiding the immediate relief efforts. A severe calamity, the Kerala floods have already claimed the lives of more than 300 people and displaced over 2, 30,000 people. The team assessed the immediate needs of the flood-affected people, and an early relief effort was initiated, with the objective of reaching out to over 10,000 families. In the first phase, distribution of relief kits, food and other necessary supplies have stated along with a focus on providing essential health services.

The team is working on Ground Zero to mobilize volunteers, procure relief material and reach out to stranded survivors. A distribution system (for food and other relief material) is devised and basic infrastructure is used for the shelter of the survivors. The work began in the tribal pockets of Waynad and Kozhikode, where families have been reached with food and hygiene kits so far. Dasanakara, Eruluam , 73 colony, a tribal forest area have been covered and the team is making their move in accordance with the requirement.

Mr. Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “These are moments when the strength of the civil society is under question, but also the time when exemplary stories of humanity shine through. It is not enough that we put our hearts out to those affected by the floods in Kerala. We need to continue to put together all the resources that are available to us – be it human or capital and provide Kerala with all that we can. Smile Foundation’s Disaster Management Team has already started working on the first phase of relief operations; and aim to reach 10,000 families with food and other necessary supplies.”

Smile Foundation intends to provide comprehensive healthcare aid to the flood affected victims. The health vertical of Smile Foundation – ‘Smile On Wheels’ program will start providing healthcare services and will also conduct health camps once the water levels begin to recede. The main objective is to prevent the outbreak of any water borne diseases. “The Smile on Wheels” – the mobile medical unit will consist of a medical team (comprising of two general physicians, two nurses and one pharmacist), a medicine vendor, and a warehouse to stock supplies. A rehabilitation plan will be created and executed to ease the process of recovery. This will be an immensely difficult task as several people have lost their lives, their families, homes, their source of livelihood and much more.