Maka   and his community

Community name: Talasuan

Information for;    Childsponsors.Org

Information collected by:   Kirtishree Nayak, Plan staff member

Person Interviewed:  Maka's Mother Mandakini

introducing this update This report follows a visit to Maka's family and uses a standard format to ensure that it provides an update on how Maka and his family are and outlines the work that Plan is doing with them and their whole community.

Maka's mother Mandakini   strengthening a bond We spoke with Maka's family and they provided us with an update on Maka's abilities over the past year. Below are some key facts, but please also write and send greetings to Maka and his family.

Maka's health. Maka has been healthy over the last year.

Maka's education. Maka attends primary school.

It takes less than 30 minutes to reach school.

Maka's family situation There have been some changes to who lives with

Maka over the past year.

Mandakini was excited to tell me about the birth of Maka's new brother who was delivered in June.

The family's access to basic services Maka's family are still using an open field or public area for their toilet facilities.

The family's water comes from a borehole with a hand pump all year round.

The nearest heath facility is about forty five minutes away- What has been happening in the area where Maka lives The projects undertaken to benefit Maka's community include: The project imparted 4 cluster level gender sensitisation trainings to adolescent boys and girls, youth and men and women from each of the villages. It has a tremendous impact upon communities. Women have become vocal. They have started taking active participation in decision making processes and have assumed responsibilities in community management.

The adolescent girls from 31 villages of Konark sector between the age group of 1 5 to 18 were oriented on life skill management training. Under this training they were educated on reproductive and sexual health, child health, use of safe drinking water, management of common illnesses by home remedy. The training was an eye-opening to almost all the girls.

The sensitisation camps held cluster wise and in a state level workshop for the ex- untouchables, called Dalits (down trodden) have provided a new ray of hope and liberation to the people. They have been aware of their human and fundamental rights, the legal provision for their protection against caste based atrocities, discrimination etc. they also have mustered courage to combat the injustices done to them and the action is already on.

The fisher people of the sector were provided opportunities like a sector level meeting, an East coast/interstate level consultation workshop and a state level workshop meant for them to thrash out their issues. They have submitted memoranda to the Apartments of revenue and to the chief minister demanding action against the fishery related issues Memoranda also have been sent against the 'Special Economic Zone Act 2005 and rules 2006' to the central Commerce department, the Prime Minister, the President etc for its repeal for it violates many of the fisher people's rights. Locally too they have been taking appropriate measures.

The legal education camps held in the 4 clusters have become quite enlightening to communities. The trainees have realised the way they have fallen prey to injustice because of their legal ignorance. They have been aware of their legal rights. Many have started legal actions against cases of varied legally offensive issues.

A 5 days long intensive training on business skills for SHGS representative was conducted at Carry Centre, Gopalpur. VDC representative had two days Orientation on community development and resource management in all the 4 clusters of Konark.

More to it than these are the children's events called " Slsu Mahostav'', organised at the field office cluster and sector levels with competitions in sports, essay, elocution, debate, quiz, dance drama, mono-action etc. , art and craft trainings in the clusters, an art and craft summer course imparted to primary school children at the project level. The events have helped children manifest their potentialities in their respective schools   Cultural shows and rallies organised at village level, and wall paintings, six children's films done on child Rights'' to ensure children's access to and assertion of their basic rights i.e.

Participation, Protection, Development and Survival have brought about marked consciousness among people and children.

Training on HIV / Aids and STD's for PREM/PIan staff and frontline workers to prevent the spread of the diseases and community sensitisation through cultural programs, on the use of safe drinking water, sanitation and common health problems added much to the community health.

Services under the People's Rural Health Promotion Scheme (PRHPS) have not only saved people from pauperisation to some extent but generated a sense of self-help, PREM/PIan Chilika project implements the ECCD and ECE Programmes for children within the   age group of 0-3 years and 3+ to 5 years respectively In all the 31 villages of Konark sector.

The approach and the supply of age appropriate joyful learning kits, playing and stimulating materials to the pre school centers do help unveil children's inner potentials gradually.

Safe delivery and smooth growth of children are found to be impacts of ANC Camps, supply of medicines, safe birth kits and TT vaccines, medical and surgical treatment to high – risk cases, supplementary nutrition toanemic mothers, routine vaccinations to children under 1 year of age, through the supply of syringes and awareness camps on immunization for infant growth monitoring.

Vocational Training provided to the adolescent boys and girls followed by a Self Help Cooperative Society formed by the vocationally trained themselves. The varied kinds of training received by them have helped many of them to embark on self-employment activities. While boys have gone for driving, producing chemical materials/detergents, electrical repair, electronic works, computer operation etc, girls by and large have employed themselves in tailoring and dress designing. Their income ranges within Rs.12Q0/- to Rs.4000/- per month. It is an additional income for their families, The 2 water harvesting structures constructed in the sector have minimised the drinking water problem of the communities.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this report. We will continue to work with the community to improve the life of Maka and all the other children in the area, for them to be able to realise their potential.

·        Through your link with Maka you share in the work of the whole community. Your contributions help to fund community projects that families are doing with Plan to benefit their children. We thank you for your continued commitment.

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