Jan Vikas Samiti is proud to kickstart National Nutrition Month today, on the 14th of September, in the heart of our communities. This year, our focus extends to the blocks of Harhua, Chiraigaon, and Sevapuri, encompassing 13 vibrant villages.

Our mission is clear – to nurture the health and well-being of our future generations and the women who shape their lives. We believe that the foundation of a prosperous society starts with the health of its people, and this campaign is a step in the right direction.

Our dedicated teams of Anganwadi workers and schools are joining hands with the entire community to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition. We aim to touch the lives of a total of 1480 individuals throughout this campaign.

Join us in this noble endeavour! Let’s work together to ensure that every child and woman in our community has access to the nutrition they need for a brighter and healthier future.

The project “Early Identification and Early Intervention of Children with Disabilities to Improve Quality of Life,” supported by the Liliane Foundation, commenced on April 1, 2023. This project’s primary focus is on enhancing the quality of life for children with disabilities, emphasizing early identification and rehabilitation. 

Early intervention approaches aim to address the social, psychological, and economic consequences of chronic disability in children, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and promoting equal opportunities for disabled children. The project covers three states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, with a targeted outreach of 1500 disabled children in the age group of 0-5 years. 

As a part of this initiative, a comprehensive 7-day refresher training session on early identification and early intervention for CBR workers was held from 9 to 15 September 2023, at Jan Vikas Samiti. This session had 18 dedicated CBR workers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Throughout the intensive training program, various therapeutic techniques were explored, including the creation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), the development of Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs), and the utilization of essential developmental devices such as standing frames, corner seats, special chairs, gait trainers, and abductor wedges. 

Additionally, the trainer provided in-depth information about speech therapy, offering practical demonstrations that equipped the participants with valuable skills to support children’s overall development.

A project “Post Covid-19 Pandemic Community Building through Skill Development Programmes & Health Education”  supported by Rom. Kath. Kirchengemeinde, Germany, began on July 1, 2023. It focuses on the capacity building of women and adolescent girls through skill development courses like tailoring and beautician training. Health education programs will also be provided to enhance knowledge and awareness of various health-related issues.

The project will cover Saharsha and Durgawati districts in Bihar, as well as Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh. Around 180 adolescent girls and young mothers will directly benefit from the skill training program, while 540 women will receive trainings on various topics related to health. Additionally, approximately 3600 family members in the project area will benefit indirectly from the project.

The tailoring and beautician courses will be government-affiliated, helping candidates to receive a government certificate upon completion. This certification will assist them in starting their own livelihood or finding employment in the industry. Health education programs will target women and adolescents in the community, focusing on topics like pre & post-natal health care, sexual and reproductive health, and health and hygiene.

As part of the project, a training session on Menstrual Hygiene Management and Sexual Reproductive Health was conducted on July 19, 2023, at Durgawati, Bihar. The training program covered about 80 adolescent girls from Durgavati, Bihar, and was led by experienced trainers, Ramprakash and Alka from Varanasi. During the session, the trainers provided detailed information about the menstrual process and emphasized the importance of maintaining hygiene during menstruation. They also addressed social misconceptions surrounding menstruation and highlighted the need to educate and raise awareness on the same.

On May 25th, 2023, Jan Vikas Samiti once again demonstrated its commitment to promoting rural livelihood for women. Today, we took another significant step by establishing and handing over a retail outlet in the Pindra block of Varanasi to women from Self Help Groups (SHGs). This initiative is part of the larger project called “Promoting Rural Livelihood for Women,” which is supported by Missio Munchen, Germany.

The retail outlet will be under the capable management of women from the SHGs. They will oversee the operations and sales of over 50 handmade products, including Kurtis, Leggings, Jute products, hand bangles, Baskets, and more. Through engaging in the sale of these products, these women are empowering themselves both economically and socially, striving for greater independence and transformation.

By providing a platform for these women to showcase and sell their handcrafted items, Jan Vikas Samiti aims to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. The outlet not only serves as a marketplace for these unique products but also becomes a space where the entrepreneurial skills of women can flourish. They will gain valuable experience in managing a business, interacting with customers, and marketing their products, which will further enhance their overall empowerment.