Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 15:36:28 +0530 From: K. Kalpana and M. Balaji Sampath Subject: [AID Coords] HBP and first set of training camps... Dear Friends, We just completed a 3 day training camp at Vagai Dam in Theni District. All the new and old blocks in Tamilnadu which will be (or are already) implementing the HBP programme came together for this camp. From the new blocks, we had asked for only 2-3 people and from the older blocks all the full-timers. In all about 80 women and 15 men attended the camp. Chandrika from AID-Austin attended all 3 days of the camp and took detailed notes. She has promised to write up a detailed report and send it to me and other after she gets back (in another week). In the camp, we had representatives from 10 older blocks, 13 new blocks (apart from Kanyakumari) and 10 new blocks from Kanyakumari. In all the HBP programme will take off in 33 blocks in TN. After a detailed review of the work done already in many of these blocks - older blocks have been doing the health and savings programme, the newer blocks had already started some savings groups. (This was the condition we had specified at an earlier meeting - almost a year earlier, when these blocks expressed interest in the HBP). After the review, which also introduced the programme to all the newer blocks, we discussed strategies to evaluate the empowerment done by savings groups. Then the meeting proceeded to discuss child health and nutrition and how to talk to the mother. After a whole day devoted to this, the group broke up into 4 batches and went to different villages for a field training. By the time they came back, they were all very tired but also completely convinced about the need for this intervention and specifically for the house to house intervention in nutrition pattern. The next day was devoted to interventions women's health and this was followed by a new component on health watch. A few other NGOs (CHAT, Nalaolli, Multipurpose social service society, etc) had also attended the training to start this component in their project areas. Finally the structure for implementation and funding situation etc was discussed along with the time-line and how the programme would proceed. I had informed them that AID support for the blocks would be coming soon and though it was not yet formally approved by all the chapters, the projects committee had okeyed it. But till then the blocks were promised Rs. 2000/month with which they can start the work and build up the programme with surveys and formation of health committees, identification of activities and holding village meetings. (From some other funds we will release this money - the idea is that once AID funds come we can replace this amount. After the excitement is built, it is difficult to wait and then give a call for starting later.) Most of the blocks will be immediately starting in 20-25 villages, some with 10 and a few in 30 villages. After some sample surveys, all the blocks are meeting together again on April 7th (northern districts in chennai and southern districts in Madurai) for a seminar on Nurtition (in Madurai) and Drug Policy (in Chennai). At this time we will review the progress and look at the sample surveys and registers, etc. With this camp, the HBP has been kicked off in 33 blocks in TN. Once the formal approval from AID is received we can hold a similar camp in Bihar and initiate the programme in the 13 blocks there as well. AID and TNSF has jointly produced the second video - On Childhood. This video in Tamil is about 30 minutes long and it covers the changes and growth in a child from the time the child is just being born till she is about 4 years old. It looks at feeding, crawling, walking, talking and learning social skills. This video was shown at the camp and was well received. Some changes have been suggested and after that is made (I am making it today and tommorrow) the video will ready for use. If you know other NGOs in TN who would like to use it, do contact me. Chandrika will send you a detailed report on the camp. I think, though overawed in the begining, she managed to meet quite a few volunteers and discuss with them about their districts and their programmes. I also request Priyaranjan to send me his report on his visit to Bihar. I read Chandrika's copy and found it very interesting. I hope others have also read the report and also that Priya has sent it to the Bihar group. If Ravishankar, Rajesh, Srividya, sailesh, Pavithra and others have written up their reports, please send me a copy. The districts have been asking for it as well. Thanks. Balaji