Smile Foundation supports the deprived
New Ispat Mail (January 11, 2011)
Month: December 2022
Rajeev Khandelwal supported the education of Smile Kids
(ashtriya Rakshak (November 29, 2011)
Slumdog kids inspired me: I Am Kalam boy Harsh Mayar
(14 November 2010)
He may be just 12 but Delhi slum boy Harsh Mayar, who plays the lead in the critically-acclaimed I Am Kalam, calls himself a struggling artist wanting to join the big league and inspired by the kid stars of Slumdog Millionaire.
“I have been struggling for a break for the past six years. I even went to Mumbai to try in (UTV Spotboy’s) Chillar Party but could not make the final cut,” says the class VIII student of Yogi Arvind Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya School. Harsh plays the role of Chhotu, whose hunger for education, something which he cannot aspire to have because of penury, is the story of Nila Madhab Panda’s I Am Kalam set in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The poor boy is inspired by APJ Abdul Kalam so much so that he starts referring to himself by the name of the former president. Living in the Dakshinpuri slum area in New Delhi, Harsh dreams of being in Bollywood. “I always dream of acting, singing and dancing in Bollywood films. I watched Slumdog Millionaire many times. I wanted to do that kind of roles. And when I got this role I was very happy,” Harsh told PTI. His father Ashok runs a small business. Though he finds it difficult at times to make ends meet he always encourages his son to pursue his goal.
To chase his dream, the young boy has been participating in theatre workshops and reality shows. He reached the fourth round of Dance India Dance this year. In the film, Harsh works in a dhaba (owned by Gulshan Grover) and his life takes an unexpected turn when he befriends the son of an erstwhile king of a princely state. And when he reads his friend’s old books, he hopes of achieving his dream. Child star Hussan Saad, who was seen in Delhi 6, plays the role of the rich friend. “Through an engaging, entertaining and fast-paced narrative like a fable, the 87-minute film takes the viewer to the world of Chhotu, who at one point starts referring to himself as Kalam after watching on TV, the former president speak about how he got his education fighting several odds,” says director Panda. Grover, who recently bagged a role with Hollywood siren Salma Hayek, says his role in I Am Kalam gave him a different kind of satisfaction.
“I have worked in over 400 films but working in movies of this genre gives you a rare kind of satisfaction. Necessity of proper education is something we should try to focus on more in our films,” he says.
The film has won a number of awards and recognitions on the international circuit. It won the best feature film at the Lucas International film festival in Germany, the prestigious Don Quijote Prize of the International Federation of Cine-Clubs (FICC) awards, the special mention at the Cinekid Film Festival and the audience award at Babican London Children’s Film festival. It will be showcased in a number of upcoming festivals in India and abroad including the International Film festival of India at Goa later this month. Produced by Smile Foundation, the film took six months to complete. The strong narrative, scripted by Sanjay Chauhan (of Pan Singh Tomar fame) talks about how every child deserves to live his childhood, no matter where he is born. The cast includes French actress Beatrice Ordeix who plays the role of a tourist.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_slumdog-kids-inspired-me-i-am-kalam-boy-harsh-mayar_1466489
Teaching the Teacher is the key
( 2 February 2020 )
Hyderabad is a fast growing city in India. Newly developed infrastructures, a fast growing industrial belt have made it one of the most populous cities in the recent years. The city attracts immigrants from all parts of the country now.
Apart from growing at a fast pace Hyderabad also suffers from major urbanisation issues. While most of the city is developed and progressing at a fast pace there still remains a considerable population who still live in slums in poor conditions. Some of the concerned issues include poverty, rising population, unemployment, poor public health and education. Poor health conditions have increased the vulnerability of the people to diseases like malaria, dengue, diarrhoea, TB and HIV.
INTERVENTION
In order to take care of the health care needs of the underprivileged population Smile Foundation intervened and launched a Smile on Wheels project in Hyderabad. The project was initiated with support from United Health Group.
Key issues of concerns were found out to be lack of awareness, poor sanitation facilities and no access to proper medical facilities. This is why it was very important to initiate a project that would provide proper medical facilities along with raising awareness too. Children, mothers, daily wage earners are the main focus of this project.
Project Highlights
12 health camps were conducted at Balaji Nagar, Saibaba nagar, Nandanavanam, Ews, Indrasenareddy Nagar, Rahmathnagar, Khanametta, Chilkanagar – 1, BS Maqtha, Indira Nagar, Hafeezpet, Vinayaka Nagar, Vinayaka Nagar, Addagutta and Ambernagar.
A theme based street play was organized covering a population of around 800 people.
To provide primary health care services to underprivileged in the identified villages/slums of Hyderabad through Mobile Medical Unit (MMU).
Health awareness (IEC and BCC) activities to generate the demand and promote preventive measures to improve health seeking behaviour.
IMPACT
A TOTAL 281 OPDS ORGANIZED
OVER 281 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 4300 PEOPLE
2828 PATHOLOGICAL TESTS WERE CONDUCTED SO FAR.
A TOTAL OF 23581 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 67% BENEFICIARIES WERE WOMEN
Rae Bareli – Bringing the Prosperity of Good Health to the Underprivileged
The rural inhabitants make up more than 77 percent of the total population, living different villages of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. Despite forming a major part of the state’s population, these rural areas face a dearth of health facilities. This dismal health situation is reflected in the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh.
The grim health scenario is evident from the increasing infant and maternal mortality rate, poor sanitation, prevalence of chronic diseases, and non-availability of qualified medical staff. Lack of proper infrastructure for sub-centres and PHCs or CHCs is a major issue. The condition of the rural women is no less terrible. Young girls are married of early; as a result they bear children at an age when their bodies are not ready medically and physically. Thus, majority of the children suffer from malnutrition and many of them are not even able to celebrate their fifth birthday.
INTERVENTION
In these gloomy circumstances, “Smile on Wheels” came as a ray of hope in the lives of the rural population of Rae Bareli. Smile Foundation in association with RECL launched Smile on Wheels for rendering primary health services in 10 villages of Block – Harchandpur, District – Raebareli (UP).
The project is poised to benefit 18500 people directly every year by taking Smile on Wheels to the doorsteps of the villagers. The major aim was to provide mobile health services comprising of Daily OPDs, Lab tests, counselling sessions and awareness programs to the community.
To begin with, Smile Foundation carried out a baseline survey in order to get a clear picture of the health condition in 15 villages of Harchandarpur Block of Rae Bareli district. Health and hygiene conditions in majority of the villages were found to be poor. Lack of proper drainage system, poor transportation system, unawareness among people were identified to be the major issues. The seasonal diseases were very common and only 40 percent of the population was immunized.
Project Highlights
In order to identify the major health problems, a baseline survey was conducted in 15 villages of Harchandpur block in Raebareli.
Smile on Wheels unit, equipped with medical facilities was launched on 16th August 2013. A team of medical and para medical staff was recruited.
Smile worked to build rapport with District Administration, District & Block level Health officials for better implementation of the project.
Smile earned the support of community stakeholders like Anganwadi Workers, ASHA and ANMs.
Daily mobile clinics, lab tests and ANCs were part of the healthcare programmes.
During the reporting period, the disease pattern highlighted more than 19 prevalent diseases.
The diseases were diagnosed through pathological lab tests and suitable treatment given to the identified beneficiaries.
Health awareness activities and community meetings were conducted as part of the awareness programmes under the project.
IMPACT
IN 2014 , A TOTAL OF 12,000 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THE INITIATIVE
4500 STUDENTS RECEIVED BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLHEALTH PROGRAMS
OVER100 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATIC CLINIC PROGRAM A TOTAL265 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 57% BENEFICIARIESWERE WOMAN
Madhepura - Sanjeevan Smile on Wheels, Madhepura, Bihar
Bihar is the third most populous state in India and has the fastest growing population compared to any other state in the country. Talking about the Human Development Index, the figures have been recorded the lowest among the major states for the last three decades. Major health and demographic indicators like poverty and illiteracy rate, infant and maternal mortality rate, male-female sex ratio are worse than any other state. One of the worst affected is the district of Madhepura, which has a population density higher than the state average. The district has poor healthcare facilities, forcing most of the inhabitants to be dependent on quacks.
Smile Foundation’s baseline survey revealed that 95% of people in the ten identified villages of Madhepura belonged to SC/OBC community, of which 92% were living below the poverty line. Major issues of concern were sanitation, inadequate health services, irregular ANM visits, and unawareness of MCH components like ANC/PNC, institutional delivery and immunisation.
INTERVENTION
Smile Foundation partnered with Siemens Limited to initiate Sanjeevan Smile on Wheels project in Madhepura. Launched on March 16, 2012, the project covered ten villages in two blocks – Madhepura and Ghalirdh, with a population of 82,500. Salient features of the project included providing accessible and quality medical facilities and promoting a health-seeking behaviour.
Feudal, caste and patriarchal oppression had lead to a low status of women in these villages. Mostly engaged in household work, the women hardly have any say in the family’s economic, social and decision-making. Thus Smile’s project gives special attention to the women folk in these villages. To bring a change in the parochial outlook towards women by enlightening the rural population, health awareness drives and community meetings are conducted periodically. The turnout of women in such activities has improved many folds since the project’s initial days.
Smile’s project has been appreciated by the local authorities and community members of these villages. Nearby village panchayats have also shown their interest to be a part of the Smile on Wheels project.
Project Highlights
To uplift the status of women in the village community, special programmes for educating them on health issues are conducted.
Antenatal and postnatal services provided to pregnant women in order to ensure the safety of both mother and child. This is made possible through tie-ups with officials working for government-run faculties like ASHA, ANMs and Anganwadis.
Special health camps by panel of specialised doctors are regularly conducted in order reach out to a larger section of the rural population.
With an aim to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles, several health awareness and sanitation drives are also conducted.
Health camps in schools are also conducted to sensitise the students about basic hygiene habits like washing hands and regular bathing.
An innovative concept, the ‘healthy child’ competition has been introduced to promote a health-seeking behaviour among the young generation of the community.
IMPACT
IN 2014 , A TOTAL OF 12,000 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THE INITIATIVE
4500 STUDENTS RECEIVED BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLHEALTH PROGRAMS
OVER100 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATIC CLINIC PROGRAM A TOTAL265 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 57% BENEFICIARIESWERE WOMAN
Three Smile on Wheels - Baitu and Gudamalani blocks, Barmer, Rajasthan
Barmer, the second largest district of the historic state of Rajasthan, makes up a major part of the Thar Desert. While a short trip to the charming desert seems enjoyable to tourists, life is not so fair for the rural population inhabiting the area. Many regions in the region, Barmer in particular, have some of the lowest health indicators.
The miseries of inhabitants are compounded by alarmingly high infant mortality rate of 82.3%; and social stigmas like the purdah system, female foeticide, child marriage and poor social status of women. According to a 2012 survey by UNICEF, about 6 to 6.5 lakh foeticides have taken place in Rajasthan in the past five years. Healthcare problems also arise due to lack of awareness on reproductive health issues in women. Poor access to healthcare services has further aggravated the situation. Concerned with the gravity of the situation in Barmer, Smile Foundation intervened, stressing the need of better healthcare services.
INTERVENTION
Smile Foundation, in collaboration with Cairn India Limited, initiated three ‘Smile on Wheels’ in Baitu and Gudamalani blocks of the district. The motive was to provide primary curative and preventive healthcare services to the inhabitants. Introducing state-of-the-art mobile hospital and spreading awareness in areas that lacked a proper healthcare system was an important part of the programme.
Smile has been able to sensitize the women folk of the villages, who earlier were reluctant to even attend the awareness programmes launched in their villages. It now reaches out to a significant number of women, educating them on issues related to their physical and mental well-being.
Also, IEC health camps targeting specific community groups like school health programmes; focused group discussions and awareness rallies on specific health issues and diseases like malaria, swine flu, polio awareness; counselling sessions; blood donation camps; and a sensitization campaign for girl child – Padharo Mahari Laado.
Smile Foundation’s work in providing provision for healthcare services in Barmer has been lauded by senior government officials, state media and the local population.
Project Highlights
Well-equipped mobile hospital launched in 2011 that provides preventive and curative medical services to residents of 41 remote villages.
Spreading awareness about healthcare issues through various IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaigns in the villages.
Since its inception, when the female beneficiaries were very low, Smile’s programme has come a long way, breaking all social barriers prevalent in the region.
The state-level sensitization campaign for girl child – Padharo Mahari Laado was launched with an aim to put an end to female foeticide.
Awareness programmes covered a wide range of topics, ranging from specific diseases to important issues like reproductive health in women.
Several rallies, counselling programmes and blood donation camps also organised.
Strong links with the government health officials and NRHM created, resulting in easy access to medicines, family planning products and IEC materials, further augmenting the project’s reach to beneficiaries.
IMPACT
IN 2014 , A TOTAL OF 12,000 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THE INITIATIVE
4500 STUDENTS RECEIVED BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLHEALTH PROGRAMS
OVER100 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATIC CLINIC PROGRAM A TOTAL265 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 57% BENEFICIARIESWERE WOMAN
Reaching out to Hyderabad’s urban poor with healthcare services
As per the latest census data, one in three people in Hyderabad is a slum dweller. It speaks of an astounding 264% increase in slum population in and around the metropolitan area. In total, there are 5.07 lakh slum households with 22.7 lakh dwellers.
The burgeoning urban poor population in Hyderabad struggle for basic services like housing, water and sanitation. The increase in the number of urban poor has increased the pressure in the civic authorities in responding to their health needs. Despite the presence of a vast public health network in the city, catering to patients in such big numbers is a daunting task.
With poor living conditions, no backup savings, food stocks, or social support system, the vulnerability of the slum dwellers to diseases and deaths increases multiple folds. The impacts of lack of basic amenities like sanitation, garbage disposal, and potable water on health on the one hand, and accessibility and quality issues of health facilities on the other, make the urban poor in Hyderabad susceptible to health shocks.
INTERVENTION
In order to take care of the healthcare needs of the underprivileged population, Smile Foundation intervened and launched a Smile on Wheels project in Hyderabad. The project being implemented was initiated in 2009 in partnership with Operation Blessing India.
After conducting a proper need analysis in and around Hyderabad, eight major areas were identified, wherein the fully equipped Smile on Wheels began its operation. The areas are Moti Nagar, Gajula Ramaram Gabbilalpet, Musharam Bagh, Malakpet, Rasoolpura, Borrabanda and Erragadda. With a team of doctors, nurses and other medical staff along with all possible required medicines from distinguished laboratories, the Smile on Wheels caters to a target population of over 57,000 every year in the aforementioned regions.
Right at the doorsteps, the Smile on Wheels provides all-inclusive healthcare services that include promotive, preventive and curative services. To complement the Smile on Wheels in reaching out to more patients, regular health camps are organized in all the slums that the unit covers. With a special focus on the health of women and children, the Smile on Wheels also makes the slum dwellers aware about preventive measures against diseases and educates them in health and hygiene.
Project Highlights
Along with special health camps being regularly conducted, this Smile on Wheels project reaches out to a population of 57,000 people every year.
This Smile on Wheels covers locations in and around Hyderabad. Some of the major areas that the Smile on Wheels travels to are Moti Nagar, Gajula Ramaram Gabbilalpet, Musharam Bagh, Malakpet, Rasoolpura, Borrabanda and Erragadda.
The total number of slums reached out to across the eight locations is 24. Special focus is given to women and children.
In all the slums that the project covers, multi-disciplinary health camps are conducted. These camps offer gynaecological, ophthalmology as well as paediatric care services.
Going forward, this Smile on Wheels aims at developing in all the people living in these slum areas the importance of sound health and inculcate in them a health seeking behaviour.
IMPACT
IN 2014 , A TOTAL OF 12,000 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THE INITIATIVE
4500 STUDENTS RECEIVED BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLHEALTH PROGRAMS
OVER100 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATIC CLINIC PROGRAM A TOTAL265 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 57% BENEFICIARIESWERE WOMAN
Improving health of the underprivileged in Jaipur with Smile on Wheels
Rajasthan – the largest state in India in terms of land area is home to 68 million people. 17% of the total population of the state resides in Jaipur, the state capital. As per the latest census report, more than 7 lakh people in the city live below the poverty line. There are as many as 250 slums in the district with more than 60,000 households.
Majority of the slum clusters are located on the outskirts that include forestlands and flood prone areas. The residents have poor living conditions with inadequate availability of water and sanitation facilities, and overcrowding. The excess in the urban poor population has created a gap in delivery of healthcare services to the underserved children and families. Among the slum dwellers, communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria get easily spread due to ignorance of health-seeking behaviour.
Despite the presence of a good network of public and private healthcare facilities, addressing the growing demand of the health needs of the underprivileged section of the city is a big challenge. Moreover, with majority of the slum population surviving on a very low annual income, spending on healthcare services becomes a big concern for the families.
INTERVENTION
In order to take care of the healthcare needs of the underprivileged population, Smile Foundation intervened and launched a Smile on Wheels project in Jaipur. The project being implemented was initiated in 2010 in partnership with Shikshit Rojgar Kendra Prabandhak Samiti (SRKPS).
The primary objective of the project is to provide basic promotive, curative and preventive healthcare facilities to the inhabitants. Through a mobile hospital that is fitted with all the necessary medical equipment and staffed with medical experts, the project is also into spreading awareness and inculcating health-seeking behaviour in areas that lacked a proper healthcare system.
The project has been able to bring a positive change among the families in the slum communities. It has been able to sensitize children and the families of the slum clusters, who earlier were reluctant to even attend the awareness programmes that are conducted from time to time. It now reaches out to a significant population, educating them on issues pertaining to diseases like malaria, swine flu, polio awareness and more.
Project Highlights
Well-equipped mobile hospital launched in 2010 provides promotive, preventive and curative healthcare services to residents of 22 urban slums of Jaipur.
The mobile hospital unit visits 6 main slums of the Jaipur district, namely Kalakar, Bhatta, Jagatpura, Jhalana, Bagrana and Idgah, twice every week. It covers 16 more slum areas by organizing a special health camp every Sunday.
Spreading awareness about healthcare issues through various IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaigns in the slums.
Awareness programmes covered a wide range of topics, ranging from specific diseases to important issues like reproductive health in women. Rallies, counselling programmes and blood donation camps also organised.
Strong links with the government health officials and NRHM created, resulting in easy access to medicines, family planning products and IEC materials, further augmenting the project’s reach to beneficiaries.
IMPACT
IN 2014 , A TOTAL OF 12,000 PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THE INITIATIVE
4500 STUDENTS RECEIVED BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLHEALTH PROGRAMS
OVER100 ICE ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, BENEFITING MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE STATIC CLINIC PROGRAM A TOTAL265 PEOPLE BENEFITED OF WHICH 57% BENEFICIARIESWERE WOMAN