Empoderamiento: Informe final

Saludos del P. Shantharaj R y equipo CMSSS.

Estimado P. Ramón Piñero:

Nos complace informarles que hemos implementado exitosamente el programa de Empoderamiento de Niñas Adolescentes en 5 escuelas de nuestra área de trabajo. Según la solicitud de la dirección de la escuela en años anteriores, este año hemos llegado a todos los niños de la escuela creando conciencia sobre Higiene y Salud, Alimentación y Nutrición, Derechos del Niño, y a las niñas una sesión adicional sobre higiene y salud menstrual. Muchas gracias a usted y a todo el equipo de la ONG Madre Teresa por ayudar a nuestros niños rurales a hacerles comprender los valores de la vida, la higiene, la salud y la disciplina. También aprovechamos esta oportunidad para expresar nuestro agradecimiento en nombre de nuestro Presidente Rt. Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Swamy y todos los miembros de la junta, la dirección de las 5 escuelas, el personal de CMSSS y los niños. Les aseguramos nuestras oraciones y buscamos sus bendiciones en nuestro trabajo al tender la mano a los marginados.

Datos del proyecto.

• Name of the Legal Holder: Fr. Shantharaj R
• Designation: Director
• Name of the Organization: CHIKMAGALUR MULTIPURPOSE SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY (CMSSS)
• Address: B. Katihalli, Arsikere Road, Hassan -573201, Karnataka State, INDIA
• Funded By: Fr. Ramon Pinero & Team, ONG Madre Teresa, Spain
• Title of the Project: Empowerment of Adolescent Girls
• Period: One year
• Total Fund Received: INR 1,72,381/-
• Total Fund Spent: INR 178586.16
• Total SB and FD Interest: INR 6205.16

Introduction.

We are thrilled to embark the journey of growth, learning and empowerment together with the teenagers, students and the teachers of 5 schools in  the district of  Hassan,  Karnataka State, India of our working area. The Program on Empowerment of Adolescent girls aim to inspire confidence, foster leadership skills and promote gender equality by promoting holistic development and the well-being of the  students of Higher Primary and High School. We addressed essential aspects of hygiene, health, nutrition and child rights with a focus on inclusivity and equity. Distributed sanitary kits to 630 adolescent girls, while all others received cloth napkins and nutritious peanut cakes.

This initiative goes beyond mere distribution, it is a commitment to empower and educate our students on crucial topics. Through interactive sessions and informative materials, we provided insights into hygiene practices, health awareness, nutritious food choices and fundamental child rights.  By addressing these critical areas, we not only aim to improve physical health but also promote dignity, confidence and gender equality among our students.  We have approached and conducted awareness in the following schools:

STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN , TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATORS  ADDRESSED:

Activities.

The Activities conducted are as follows:

1. Menstrual Hygiene and Health – for girls from Class V to Class X,  - Distribution of Sanitary Kits – for girls from Class V to Class X, teachers, attenders and community educators.
2. Food and Nutrition – to  Girls/boys from Class V to Class X
3. Health and Hygiene – to Girls/boys from Class I to X
4. Child Rights – to Girls and boys from Class V to Class X
5. Distribution of Cloth Napkin and Peanut cake to all the participants.

Menstrual hygiene and health and distribution of sanitary kits.

Awareness on Puberty, Menstruation, Usage and Disposal of Pads – Mrs. Victoria D’Souza , the Program Manager of CMSSS was the resource person addressed 630 girl children /teachers /community educators on Menstrual Hygiene and Health.

1. What do you mean by Puberty?
2. What is Menstruation?
3. Importance of maintaining personal hygiene during menstruation. The resource person concluded saying that personal hygiene during menstruation is essential for health, comfort and overall well-being, helping individuals manage their menstrual cycles with confidence and minimal disruption:
   • Preventing Infection,
   • Odor Control
   • Skin Health
   • Comfort and Well-being
   • Preventing Irritation and Rash
   • Reducing Discomfort, General Health and Confidence
4. Choosing the Right Sanitary Pad/ appropriate pad for different flow levels is very important and the following is spelled to the teens in order to help them to select a right pad at the right time.
5. Importance of checking for expiry dates and quality. Why it is important to check the expiry dates and quality of the sanitary pads is explained to the teens in detail as follows:
   • Effectiveness of Absorbency.
   • Hygiene and Safety.
6. Adhesive Quality: The adhesive that keeps the pad in place may weaken over time. An expired pad might not adhere properly, leading to discomfort and the risk of leakage.
7. Reducing Irritation: Expired pads may cause skin irritation or allergies.
8. Preventing unpleasant Odors: Expired pads may not have the same odor control features. Checking the expiry date helps ensure that the pad effectively minimizes any unpleasant odors associated with menstruation.
9. Proper usage:
   • How to use sanitary pads correctly
   • Emphasized the importance of changing pads regularly for hygiene.
   • Discussed the duration of pad usage and potential health risks if neglected.
10. Environmental Impact: Highlighted the environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads.
    • Non-Biogradeable Materials: Most disposable pads are made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic and synthetic fibers, contributing to long-term environmental waste.
    • Landfill Accumulation: Disposable pads contribute to the accumulation of non- biodegradable waste in landfills, as they take a significant amount of time to decompose.
    • Chemical Use: The production and bleaching processes of disposable pads may involve the use of chemicals that can have environmental implications when released into water systems.
11. Disposal Methods: Where one should dispose the Sanitary pad and how to dispose?
    • Dispose of disposable pads in a sanitary bin or designated disposal container.
    • Wrap the pad in its wrapper or toilet paper before discarding to minimize odors.
    • Avoid flushing them down the toilet, as it can lead to plumbing issues and environmental problems.
12. Hygiene and Health:Why handwashing is important before and after changing pads?
13. Addressed the common misconceptions and myths related to menstruation.
    • Periods make women impure
    • Exercising during menstruation is harmful
    • Encourage open communication with parents or guardians for additional support.

630 sanitary kits were distributed to the teenagers, teachers, attenders and community educators at the end of the session with a peanut cake.

Picture gallery:

1. Divya Jyothi HT. Pry & High School, Marianagara, 09/02/2024:

2. Anugraha High School, Arehalli, 10/2/2024:

3. St. Mary's HR. Primary and High School, Settihalli, 15/2/2024:

4. St. Ignatius Loyolla English and Kannadmedium Higuer Primary and High Schools, Gadenahalli, 10/2/2024:

5. Nirmala HR. Primary and High School, M. Dasapura, 24/2/2024:

6. Community Educators (CE) of CMSSS:

Learnings:

1. The teenagers expressed their concerns during periods as they are studying in co-education schools.
2. Few children make use of cloth and have a concerns in disposing the cloth at schools.
3. Teachers were very emotional as the resource person explained about breast and utres cancer which is very common among women.
4. Few teachers are facing utres problems and heavy bleeding issues.
5. Girls were very much interested to learn more about different types of cancers.
6. Few girls are getting delayed periods/ excess bleeding.
7. Girls said that they now know how to choose right pad for different types of flow.
8. They wanted to know whether the sanitary pads of all the companies are good to use.
9. The teachers and girls felt that the resource person stood by them as a mother explaining them each and every minute question.

Training on health and hygiene, food and nutrition and child rights.

The sessions on Health and Hygiene, Food and Nutrition and Child Rights were conducted by the following resource person to the children from Class I to class X in batches in schools were there were large number of children Class I to IV, Class V to VII and Class VIII to X.

• Health and Hygiene: The children were given session on hygiene i.e personal and environmental hygiene with the help of power point presentation. It covers topics lke:
  • Hygiene and Elements,
  • Personal hygiene – Defination,
  • Care of : Hair, Skin and face, Teeth, Ears, Hands, Nails and cuticles, feet.
• Food and Nutrition:
  • What is meant by food?
  • Why we need food?
  • What kind of food do children need.
  • Why do children need to eat a varety of foods
  • Understanding about food groups like fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy.
  • Healthy snacks to be taken like fruits , nuts, yogurt.
  • To Stay Hydrated.To have meal in portion, avoid overeating,
  • Avoid sugar drinks/beverages containing more sugar
  • To check the labels of the food packs before purchasing.
• Child Rights: The sessions were focused on Do children have rights? What is mean by Child Rights? What are the four right every child should get and what are the basic rights? Why children need rights? The children were taught and practiced the four important rights:
  1. Right to Live
  2. Right to Protection
  3. Right to Education
  4. Right to Participation.

Picture gallery:

1. Divya Jyothi HT. Pry & High School, Marianagara, 09/02/2024:

2. Anugraha High School, Arehalli, 10/2/2024:

3. St. Mary's HR. Primary and High School, Settihalli, 15/2/2024:

4. St. Ignatius Loyolla English and Kannadmedium Higuer Primary and High Schools, Gadenahalli, 19/2/2024: