IN 142- Project Blooming Buds An overall development of children in 40 villages of Namakkal District in Tamilnadu

Background

HIV epidemic has emerged as a major public health problem in India, within a span of last five years, threatening the gains of development made during the post independence period. The prevalence of the infection in all parts of the country highlights the need for multi-focused action to contain the epidemic. Namakkal district in Tamilnadu is amongst the worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country both in terms of prevalence and impact. The HIV prevalence rate of 4.4 % (2003) and 2.8% (2004) among the antenatal clinic attendees is among the highest in the state. This is in contrast to the mean of 1% for Tamilnadu. The high prevalence rate among antenatal clinic attendees highlights the extent of vulnerability among women of child-bearing age and general community at large.

Key contributing factors to such high prevalence levels include the presence of a large trucking industry in Namakkal which employs roughly 2,00,000 men and adolescent boys in various aspects of the industry and a rig industry with about 5000 rigs, each engaging about 5-7 people who travel as far north as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to repair and maintain rigs.

AIDS orphans, defined as children who have lost their father/mother or both parents to HIV/AIDS before reaching the age of 15, are predicted to be high in number in Namakkal District. The extended family system, which would traditionally provide support for orphans, is greatly strained in communities most affected by AIDS. When these HIV/AIDS infected /affected children are cared for by other family members, this places an added financial burden on these care givers. After their parent's death, children can lose their rights to the family land or house. The children often must shoulder responsibility for their care and that of younger siblings.

Without education, work skills or family support, children may end up living on the streets and are engaged in hazardous occupations. These children are especially vulnerable, often becoming sexually active at an early age and at risk from HIV themselves. Poverty is an overwhelming problem among them. These orphans not only lack money, but basics such as clean water, drugs, food, shelter and essential medical supplies. They do not have information about how to protect themselves, and have poor access to doctors, nurses, and other health care facilities. The needs for the children on quality education, parental/guardian support, additional nutritional support and financial support is much higher and at of utmost need. The lives of children who do not have HIV themselves are affected when family members have AIDS. Families face increased poverty and stress because adults have to leave their generous paid employment, or are too sick to farm their land. Women may be ill themselves, as well as caring for other sick family members and looking after young children. Girls in particular often become the care providers for sick relatives and their brothers and sisters. Sometimes children have to leave school to look for work or care for other family members. In addition, denial or neglect of girls' human rights results in gender discrimination, giving young women little access to socio- economic opportunities.

The Project: IN 142 Project Blooming Buds

"Blooming Buds" project which aims for an overall development of children in 40 villages of Namakkal block besides the satellite support of 662 families affected by HIV/AIDS is being implemented from September 2007 with the funding support of Terre des Hommes-Netherlands. The project activities aim for the overall development of children in terms of health, education, environment protection, psycho-social and socio-economic development. Promotion of children groups and women self help groups are also part of the project activities. Life Skills Education is also being taught for the children.

A residential school (Short Stay) for 60 children is being run by WORD in Namakkal under this project. Three students from this residential school have been selected to pursue their education in Mathagondappalli Model School (MMS), a CBSE school in Mathagondappalli near Hosur in the academic year 2011-2012 for class III. With this, a total of 24 students have been placed to MMS from this residential school so far.

A vocational training institute offers training in tailoring with embroidery and computer trade at present. This vocational training institute aims to provide earning skills besides learning skills. Considering the importance of socio-economic development, the socially and economically deprived families are being given loan assistance to initiate various income generation activities.

Terre des Hommes, Netherlands also supports for the construction of the residential school and the vocational training centre in Namakkal for our organisation. The buildings were inaugurated on 23rd November 2009 by TdH-NL Regional Director,       Mr. Lei Brouns in the presence of Mr. Meru Miller, Program Officer, TdHNL-India in a glittering ceremony held at Namakkal. The detailed summary of the program report can be accessed through the file featuring on the right side of this page.

Mr. Fons, Regional Communication Officer, Terre des Hommes- Netherlands, South Asia visited the project on 2nd August 2010. He visited Namakkal and interacted with the blooming buds staff team at the project office, visited the residential home for children and visited Puzhavarpalayam, one of the service village under blooming buds project to get to know the results through the various services from the project activities. Click here for the photo gallery.

To know more about WORD and its activities, please visit http://www.wordorg.net