Gift a Smile Program Makes Children Happy at LBHC @CAFIndia_tweets

11 May, Bodhgaya: The children living at Lord Buddha Home for Children, an orphanage established and running with support of SKB, the Netherlands, became happy after receiving gifts from “Gift a Smile” program by CAF India and Online marketer Amazon.

These children have found many useful items as pen-pencil, color, nutri-drink, thermometer, bathing soap, hand wash, lunch box, tooth paste/brush, story book, dictionary, sanitary pad etc. There are youngsters like Dilip Kumar (class VIII), Vilash Kumar (class VI), Munni Kumari (class I), Neha Kumari (class IV), Priyanka (class I), Kundan (class X), Gautam (class VIII), Puja Kumari (class VIII) and many others who have received such contributions from the program.

Total 27 children have got the gifts and mentioned comments to express their gratitude towards unknown donors. Mr. Tripurari Prasad Singh (Asst. Program Manager, LBHC) has appreciated Gift a Smile program for children at LBHC as this provides things to be used in daily life and supports orphan children for their wellbeing with a donation drawn from this new age business practice. On behalf of the LBHC family, he commended for all who could add another smile to children less privileged.

Drought Relief for #Children’s Families @Plan_India

11 May, Churchu: As drought has affected Hazaribag district also, Plan India supported Child Centered Community Development (CCCD) program at Churchu block of the district by NBJK has launched a short term project namely Drought Response 2016 for sponsored children, widows, pregnant/lactating women and People With Disabilities (PWDs) to provide them food materials. This covered 1032 families of 11 villages like Lara, Dumar, Tasnalo, Bodra, Khurandih, Jamdiha, Nagri, Churchu, Aango, Jordag and Lasod of the block with timely distribution of relief packets meant for selected marginalized families through an extensive survey. Each packet contains Rice (20 kg), Flour (10 kg), Pulse (4 kg), Oatmeal (4 kg), Salt (1 kg), Soya Grains (2 kg), Molasses (2 kg) and Chlorine tablets (60 nos.) and recipients were guided to use Chlorine tablets as water purifier.

The very campaign was inaugurated by Mrs. Usha Rani (Child Dev. Project Officer, Churchu) who expressed concern over drought due to deforestation and lack of water conservation. She appealed people to dig a small pond in every village and for sowing a plant by each family. Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has appreciated Plan India’s intervention for people in need and believed in avoidance of such situation by a combined initiative.

Drought relief distribution was acknowledged by Jharkhand State Child Labor Commission and Child Rights Protection Commission as Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra (Member, CLC) and Dr. Manoj Kumar (Member, CRPC) have visited NBJK, Churchu on 12th to see CCCD program and distributed relief materials. They talked to people about livelihood options and entitlements to be accessible for them or their children to evade migration and school dropout. Mr. Anup Hore (Plan India) has accompanied the members and all were welcomed by Mr. Satish Girija and staff members of NBJK.

#Children Share Drawing & Quiz Event at Komal Pujan Public School

Bodhgaya, 28 April: Recently initiated Komal Pujan Public School by NBJK at Silaunja village has organized Drawing and Quiz events for children to involve them in co-curricular activities besides regular classes. Drawing competition was open for small kids from classes like Nursery, LKG, UKG and total 76 children have participated happily in this occasion. Master Suraj Kumar (Nursery), Baby Sandhya Kumari (LKG) and Master Chandan Raj were declared first, second and third out of the competition while rest of the children have been awarded with medals to get a boost up in this field of their interest.

The school management has encouraged other children of class I – V to take part in a Quiz competition based upon their surroundings and books. Reshma Kumari (class V) and Nitish Kumar (class I) became first and second respectively in this event. All concerned students have shown profound interest in the quest for right answers and expressed themselves without any fear in the vocal gathering.

Mr. Umashankar Prasad (Principal) and Mr. Tripurari Prasad Singh (Asst. Manager, Lord Buddha Home for Children) were present in both of the events to encourage children and distributed prizes among winners. The program was arranged with support of teachers/staffs of Komal Pujan School and made children smiling due to its playful approach.

#Farmers on Exposure and Training by Rojgar Taining Centre @AxisBank

18 April, Ranchi: Axis Bank Foundation, Mumbai supported Rojgar Training Centre at Piska More, Ranchi has organized an exposure visit for trainees of Agriculture trade upon making of organic manure with help of earthworms, popularly known as vermi compost. The trainees have visited the unit by NBJK at Chakla village near Ranchi where mass production of the compost takes place regularly and admired by local farmers. Mr. Rampravesh and Mr. Vanshee Thakur of NBJK, Chakla have demonstrated the process of making such organic manure and satisfied queries of the trainees. Mr. Jyotishram Mahto and Mr. Falicharan Mahto (RTC, Piska More) have guided the visit.

On 20 April, 20 women trainees have completed Mushroom package of the training. Mrs. Sumitra Toppo (instructor) has provided them mushroom seeds with proper guidelines over preparing nursery and post germination care of the product well known for its nutrition value. Mr. Jyotishram Mahto has oriented the trainees for a rich kitchen garden for each family. Also a committee has been formed to ensure marketing of the mushroom produced by trainees willing to join the venture commercially. Mrs. Nidhi Kumari (president), Mrs. Nisha Kumari (secretary), Mrs. Namita Devi (treasurer) and other 17 members will look after the affair as a group. Mr. Randheer Kumar (centre coordinator, RTC) has distributed packets of organic compost/mushroom seeds among the trainees in both of the events and emboldened them for profitable farming with innovative ideas.

Training to Prevent #Malnutrition among Mothers & Children @Plan_India

1-2 April, Churchu: Aanganwadi Sevikas, Sahiyas and Members of Mata Samiti from 10 villages like Aango, Oriya, Jamdiha, Khurandih, Sariya, Lodhe of Churchu block (Hazaribag) have participated in a training upon malnutrition among mothers and children under Child Centered Community Development program with support of Plan India. Dr. Chaitanya (Medical Officer, Churchu block) was the resource person who introduced about symptoms of malnutrition during pregnancy, early motherhood/childhood and discussed about preventive measures to be taken accordingly. He suggested for taking care of such signs with pregnant, lactating mothers and children of different age groups as malnutrition affects body immune system critically to make them sick. Dr. Chaitanya has requested to pay special attention to those mothers and their children in their villages.

On 2nd April, all trainees have visited Malnutrition Treatment Center at Sadar Hospital, Hazaribag to see the arrangement there. Mrs. Indu Devi (ANM) has briefed them about its work mode and available facilities at the center to support undernourished mothers as well as children. Also they observed Child Ward of this district hospital where children get medical treatment. The exposure under guidance of a doctor resource person has enhanced their knowledge and acquaintance with the system to address problem caused by malnutrition among rural women & children. Mrs. Usha Rani (CDPO), Ms. Alpna Tirky(Supervisor), Mr. Ranjan Kumar (Program Manager), Mr. Arvind Kumar (Coordinator), Mr. Vijay Kumar and Ms. Alwina Hansda (Field Supervisors) have contributed to the training.

Women Convention Opposed Liquor in Jharkhand

31 March, Hazaribag: NBJK and partner organizations have called SHG members, elected women representatives and others to join a convention to oppose liquor collectively. The program was inaugurated by Mrs. Sarojini Devi (Pramukh, Sadar block), Mrs. Anushree Devi (Pramukh, Churchu block), Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty (Member, District Council), Mrs. Sharmili Ekka (In-charge, Women Police Station, Hazaribag) and Ms. Veena Sethi (Advocate). Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has welcomed all and defined liquor as the root cause of numerous problem. He supported the demand from village women of Jharkhand that the government must ban liquor like in Bihar where such ban will be imposed from very next day. Mr. Satish Girija has suggested prohibiting foreign liquor firstly and for a phase wise ban on country/homemade liquor with help of women representatives elected for more than 50% seats of PRIs.

Mrs. Sarojini Devi has branded liquor as most anti-women and demanded for a strict ban over its production and sell in the state.  The very department of excise & prohibition shows us a paradoxical system, she said. Mrs. Anushree Devi has blamed liquor for destroying people’s life and wealth in villages and insisted for the ban to save them. Mrs. Agnesia S. Purty has raised the issues of awareness, education and livelihood for a successful campaign against liquor. Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani panchayat) has supported the ban and appealed for cooperation from male members of each family to this anti-liquor drive. Mr. Mahendra Ram (Mukhiya, Silwar panchayat) has wished to make his panchayat free from liquor and regretted for less women in assembly/parliament as impedimental for delay in action desired against liquor. Mr. Jeevlal Mahto (ex-Pramukh, Sadar block) was concerned about diminishing social support for such battle due to growing number of drinkers.

Mr. Nandlal Saw (ex-Mukhiya, Oriya panchayat) has condemned the trend of liquor intake during religious functions even and supported the women. Mrs. Yashoda Devi (ex-Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat) has appealed all to oust this social vice while Mrs. Sharda Devi (Ward Member, Singhani panchayat) was for legal as well as social restrictions. Mrs. Sharmili Ekka has accused liquor for most of the crimes against women and Mrs. Veena Sethi appreciated this combined initiative for a greater cause. Also Mr. Filman Bakhla (Lok Prerna Kendra), Mr. Awdhesh Chandra Pandey (Chhotanagpur Vikas Utprerna Kendra) and Dr. Vishwanath Azad (SHARK) have addressed the convention against liquor participated by around 200 women.

Staff Training on ADL under Rights to PWDs program #ActionVillageIndia

26-29 March, Hazaribag: Under the Rights to PWDs program with support of AVI-BLF (UK), a training on ADL or Activities of Daily Living was organized for program staffs from Hazaribag, Koderma, Giridih, Nawada and Gaya districts. Mr. Prabhunath Sharma (Treasurer, NBJK) has inducted this through focus upon opportunities for people with disabilities and referred to such people with proven talent. A bit of self-reliance can change their perception towards life and this training will enable our staffs to orient PWDS and their carers to such skills systematically, Mr. Sharma opined.

Before this, Mr. Rajesh Ranjan (Program Manager) has greeted all participants and valued the very freedom from dependence for PWDs. He was optimistic about better performance of program staffs after completion of this training. The inaugural ceremony was attended by other program managers like Mrs. Sujata Prasad and Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh also. They have welcomed this skill sharing initiative to be delivered in field ultimately to facilitate people suffering from physical or mental limitations.

During these four days training, Mr. Paras Nath Mahto (Special Teacher) has introduced about the daily life problems for such children/people and assured to get rid of them through ADL with support of their parents or carers. He has covered daily routine, mobility, gross motor, fine motor, literacy, sign/touch language, words reiteration, socialization and communication etc. for such people with visual or hearing impairment, deafblindness, mental retardation or illness. There were 56 field staffs and district/block coordinators participated in the training.

#FamilyCounseling Center for Ban to Liquor @MinistryWCD

21 March, Amrit Nagar (Hazaribag): Family Counseling Center by NBJK with support of  Central Social Welfare Board, New Delhi and Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board, Ranchi has taken an initiative against domestic violence by inviting Panchayti Raj representatives and officers from Women Police Station, Hazaribag for a meeting over their support to restrict boozes and drunkards in villages.

Mr. Satish Girija (Secretary, NBJK) has greeted all comers there and requested them to curb the menace caused by alcoholism rampant in villages. There is a correlation between liquor and violence as well as superstitious practices or other crimes against women & children, he said and appealed to ensure a safe home or neighborhood for them. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Mahendra Ram (Mukhiya, Silwar panchayat) who appreciated the idea of FCC to facilitate peace and harmony in our families. Mrs. Ameltina Ekka (In-charge, WPS) has commended village meetings to resolve family disputes and offered all possible help to the Center.  Mrs. Meera Gupta (Counselor) was conducting the meeting and made liquor responsible for most of the marital disputes and insisted for support from people of PRIs as well as administration. FCC has been providing service to settle family discords for a long time and prefers reconciliation through community intervention, Mrs. Gupta pointed out.

Also Panchayti Raj representatives like Mrs. Yashoda Devi (Ex-Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat), Mrs. Sharda Devi (Mukhiya, Karbaikala panchayat), Mrs. Renu Devi (Mukhiya, Singhani panchayat), Mr. Nand Lal Saw (Ex-Mukhiya, Oriya panchayat), Mr. Chhote Lal Rana, Mrs. Sharda Devi (Ward members) have supported the view for a social boycott to liquor.

#Water Digest Water Award to NBJK @TheWaterDigest

21 March, New Delhi: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra has won 10th Water Digest Water Award, 2015-16 and declared winner under the category of Best NGO for Revival of Rural Water Resources by noted media organisation Times Network in partnership with UNESCO. Also ASSOCHAM, the Central Water Commission, the Central Ground Water Board, WAPCOS Ltd. and NSF have supported the event.

The felicitation of awards was presided over by Mr. Birender Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Sanitation in presence of other dignitaries like Mr. Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation,  Mr. Al Amin Yusuph, Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO, Mr. G. S. Jha, Chairman, Central Water Commission, Mr. K. B. Biswas, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, Mr. S. Masood Husain, Director General, National Water Development Agency, Mr. Sushil Khodvekar (IAS), Commissioner, Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation and Mr. B. B. Singh, Head Water Business (South Asia), NSF International.

For NBJK, it was a celebration of the Livelihood program with support of Tata Trusts and CInI in Khunti, Jharkhand. NBJK has facilitated people of Baree village to get water of Tajna River flowing across Sudgiburu hillocks. This endeavor didn’t need any complex system, machinery, power or fuel rather gravity force is being used as Diversion Based Irrigation Management (DBIM) for the purpose. The water comes through 2 km long downward pipeline of 3 feet diameter by cutting rocks. Baree village is about 16 km from Khunti town/district headquarter and people were relying upon rainwater for agriculture. Currently they get 24 hours water supply for domestic use and are able to irrigate 200 acres of land round the year with community ownership as they contributed to the setup.

The theme for the award was Water and Jobs.  Water Digest, the magazine works towards raising awareness of the issue affecting water and revolves around the changes and problems faced by the common man as well as the solution that the water industry has worked on.