When there is care for the children
P. SUJATHA VARMA
|
Children of AIDS-affected parents now have a support programme.
|
PHOTO: RAJU V.
Memorable moments: At the programme
Nemmadi Sandeep made a dash for the dais as he heard his name being announced. Nudging a group of friends surrounding him, the Std. VI student from M.K. Baig Municipal Corporation High School in the city walked quickly and leapt on to the stage to grab the kit that looked so attractive. His eyes were bright as he unwrapped the pair of school uniforms, new footwear, a plate and a tumbler. Happy with the set of new belongings that came into his possession, he began to show o
ff the kit to others who were still in the queue waiting for their turn to grab the pack.
Sandeep is a young victim of HIV. After the demise of his parents due to the disease, the child now lives with his maternal aunt and has been identified as one of the 1,095 orphan or semi-orphan children who are beneficiaries of a special programme aimed at improving their health, education and lifestyle.
Community-based
Mehrunnisa is in Std. V of J.D. Municipal Upper Primary School. The girl lost her father when she was a toddler. Her immediate needs have been taken care of by members of the local NGOs engaged in community-based care and support programme to rehabilitate children hailing from AIDS-affected households.
“We can’t solve the problem of orphans until we confront the underlying cause – AIDS.
We believe that no child should be left alone in pain or abandoned and abused. ” says Chennupati Vidya, president of the Vasavya Mahila Mandali, the local NGO that took up the kit-distribution programme.
The welfare project envisages setting up supplementary education centres in at least 19 schools run by the local municipal corporation and appointment of special teachers to take extra care about the health and education of the project beneficiaries.
The job of the tutors appointed for the purpose is to hone the skills of the children and maintain steady coordination between the regular teachers and parents of these children, besides keeping them apprised of their health and academic status.
Sanghamitra Service Society, a local NGO, is the lead partner of the UK-based Learning for Life, the sponsor of the scheme.
As many as 655 girls and 440 boys from 17 municipal schools and a couple of Zilla Parishad schools benefit by the programme.
Formal education, counselling and career guidance, besides nutritious food, form part of the programme that enhance the lifestyle of these children.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Young World
