The report presented in the following page highlight major activities undertaken during the year and the impact created.

The two years of uncertainty and emirs created by unprecedented corona tapered of paring the way for resuming normal activities in the beginning of the year. The visit of AVI team in May, 2022 for monitoring the disability work was a sign of return to routine work at CRUSADE.

Community Health Project

The community health project provide rural communities the knowledge needed to improve their health and the means to address it in a cost effective manner thus enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and ill health and enjoy better lives. The programme has helped to build awareness and understand the health issues, particularly non-communicable diseases among communities, and encourage them to take ownership for their well being. This has motivated women and their families to seek early treatment for the diseases.

Mobile Homoeopathy Treatment Clinics

Mobile homoeopathy treatment clinics provide medical services to meet the treatment of common diseases and minor ailments of the community. During the year, CRUSADE conducted mobile clinics once in three months in 36 villages and in collaboration with Venkateswara Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, conducts homoeo camps in another 6 identified villages .In addition the homoeo treatment is provided in women wellness camps in the identified 12 villages by female Homoeopath.

These camps offer services such as curative, preventive, promotive and referral. During the year CRUSADE organized 219 mobile homoeopathy treatment clinics (including elderly women camps) in more than 50 villages. Overall 8585 patients were treated in the clinics in which 4663 were new and 3922 were follow up patients.

The patients were treated for cough, rhinitis, sinusitis, headache, sneezing, eye complaints, arthritis, menstrual problems, skin complaints, gastric ulcer etc. In addition 48 patients (13 new and 35 follow up) were treated at homoeopathy clinic at Karanodai.

Hypertension And Diabetes Screening

The screening for hypertension and diabetes was done along with the mobile treatment clinics which include exclusive camps for women and the elderly. Totally 6748were screened for hypertension, identifying 1625 persons as having hypertension(new cases 825 and borderline800) Blood glucose was checked for 1228 persons having symptoms and 167 persons were identified as having diabetes (new cases 109 and borderline was 58).They were offered counseling, homoeopathy treatment and referral services.

Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Camp For Women

The screening camps were conducted in collaboration with Penn Nalam hospital, Chennai, Papsmearsamples are collected and x-ray mammogram performed to defect cervical and Breast cancer.

Conducted 3 Screening camps in which 106 women were screened and 9 were advised for follow up visit to the hospital.

Eye Camps

CRUSADE in collaboration with Agarwal eye hospital, Chennai, conducts eye camps in the project villages which help in improving vision through cataract extraction and correction ofrefractive errors. For persons detected with refractive errors CRUSADE, arranges spectacles at nominal cost.

Conducted 4 camps, screened 296 persons and distributed spectacles for 165 persons. Cataract operation and lens implantation was done for 21 persons.

Ethical Gift –Delivery Kit For New Born Baby And Mother

CRUSADE identified 14 young mothers who did not get the kit under government scheme and provided the kit containing mosquito net, towel for baby, cotton dress, inner, baby powder, oil, soap and sanitary napkin for mother.

Health Education To SHG Members

CRUSADE continued to provide health education toSHG members in newly formed SHGs to enhance their health knowledge in project villages using 5 training modules developed for the purpose.

The five module training was provided mostly to the newly formed SHG members.

Covered 104 members in 13 groups in 6 villages.

Anemia Screening Camps For Women

While conducting mobile clinics, doctors conducting mobile camps in the project villages come across women having clinical signs and symptoms of anemia. For proper identification and to in provide necessary treatment CRUSADE is conducting screening camps for anemia in select villages among women of the age group 20-55 years.

The hemoglobin was assessed for 256 in 45 camps and found 35 were anemic of 135 in borderline and 123 normal.

Homoeopathic treatments were also provided to the women.

The camps were conducted once in 3 months in the same villages regularly by female homoeopath.

Training In Life Skills

One of the recommendations in the health project evaluation is training SHG members in life skills. Training was provided to the cluster co-ordinators and health workersby a female resource person. Based on the training and materials CRUSADE prepared three modules containing 10 topics in tamil which are being used for training SHG women members.

CRUSADE staff has trained 2989 members in 420 groups on life skill in 3 modules. The basic life skills provide readily available tools to deal with challenges/demands of daily lives the women face, from managing their emotions and making an informed decision. The members actively participate and clear their doubts with the staff.

The life skill education to school students could enhance their self confidence and independence and help them develop theiridentify and autonomy. The training is restricted to high school and higher secondary schools as it will be relevant to the senior students who are in the final years of schooling (9-12std) The initial orientation sessions was conducted in 2 schools covering 105 students.

Awareness On Mental Health To The SHG Members

This program also came up due to the recommendations in the health project evaluation. The training on mental was provided to the CRUSADE’s staff and health volunteers by resource person from SCARF(Schizophrenia Research Foundation) organization .This training session provided information on addressing social stigma ,ignorance , fear, misconception and faulty attitudes regarding mental illness. And also the cause, signs and symptoms of mental illness explained.

CRUSADE based on the materials provided by the resource team, awareness regarding mental illness was provided to the SHG members, as a fourth module in life skill training.

HEATH COMMITTEE FORMATION

Another keyrecommendation in the health project evaluation is the formation of health committees in the villages to ensure community participation in health activities. Decentralization and people’s participation have been considered key strategies for making health care and sanitation services effective and provide them the rights to health.

CRUSADE formed 8 panchayat level health committees (Athoor, Natham,NewErumaivettipalayam,Enathimelpakkam,Devadanam,Kaniyambakkam, MadimaiKandigai and A.Reddy palayam)with the objective of promoting better environment and to avoid using toxic wastes such as polythene bags etc and to create awareness on good health practices .The health workers/ cluster coordination are the conveners who involve key persons in the community – panchayat functionaries, PLFleaders, School teachers, Anganwadi workers etc.The health committee meetings are held once in a month in each panchayat.HC distribute pamphlets regarding the aims and objectives of HC’s and awareness regarding environmental sanitation and avoiding usage of plastic carry bags. Committees also assist in organizing CRUSADE’s health camps in their respective villages.

Highlights of activities of H Committees during the year

KANIYAMPAKKAM

HC organized a campaign on climate change and environment protection rally in thepanchayat. There was good turnout with 75% women members (around 300) participated in the event. The panchayat president and Union (Block) councilor joined in the event. CRUSADE distributed bins to collect recyclable waste in village.

ATHOOR

HC distributed pamphlets to the grocery shops, temples and public gathering places to avoid plastic carry bags. Through the panchayat, the HC planted 250 fruit saplings provided by CRUSADE. SOTE teamwhich visited CRUSADE in Feb, 23 participated in climate change and environment protection rally in the panchayat.

HC organizedaone day village cleaning drive by the students of Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai. Over 50 students spent a day to clean the streets in villages, assisted by residents and committee members.

New Erumaivettipalayam

The health committee resolved issues in the panchayat such as adolescent girls not getting sanitary napkin on regular basis.HCdistributed bins to 30 families to collect recyclable wastes from home, provided fruits to the persons who underwent cataract surgery in the eye camp organized by CRUSADE. Every month they clean their street along with the residents. They also planted herbal plants in common place so that they can be used by the residents for minor ailment like, cough, cold, headache etc. With the help of CRUSADE, health committee members replaced the hand pump with electric pump motor to pump and store the water in a surface store tank for use by households round the clock.

ENATHIMELPAKKAM

The HC created awareness on environmental sanitation and initiated separate fundfor HC, by contributions of HC members and village people. The health committee members had given awareness on seasonal diseases in the village, and cleaned and renovated the common public toilet with the help of residents.

WSHG Development Project

The report updates the activities of women SHG development project supported by Salt of The Earth till March, 2023

Status of SHGs

The number WSHGs at the end of March, 23 in Minjur and Sholavaram have increased to 420 and there are more than 6000 women in the groups. Almost all the groups have bank account. The number of groups, members and groups having bank account in the two blocks with number of hamlets covered are given in the table below:

Block Villages (No) Groups (No) Groups with Bank A/cs Members (No) Minjur 60 283 281 4020 Sholavaram 40 137 135 1985 Total 100 420 416 6005

Block	No of Villages	No of Groups	No of Groups with Bank Account	No of Members
Minjur	60	283	281	4020
Sholavaram	40	128	135	1985
Total	100	420	416	6005

In Ellapuram and Gummidipoondi, although CRUSADE work with WSHGs, CRUSADE does not monitor the financial transactions of the groups as they directly deal with banks, Government to avail loans and grant. CRUSADE’s engagement with groups is restricted to promoting Environment (tree plantation, kitchen garden and herbal plants), skill training, village development, etc. However, two WSHG’s with 27 members in Ellapuram block (Kadanallur village) has been affiliated to CRUSADE and CRUSADE arranged ICICI Bank loans to one group twice.

CRUSADE arranged external audit of 197 SHGs in the current year (for 21/22) till March, 2022. Once the audit statements are received, the audit comments are passed on to the groups, such as excess expenses, heavy cash balance etc. However, there are no major discrepancies noticed in the accounts of SHGs audited.

CRUSADE staff collects the financial data of WSHGs once in three months which are consolidated at project level Till December 2022, the combined savings and common fund of 369 groups for which data available is Rs 11.2 crore (112 million rupees) which work out to Rs 2.98 lakh /each group which is substantial.

Bank linkages

During the year ending March, 2023, in all 324 SHGs availed Rs 14.20 Crores (142 million rupees) of external loans from various sources (Banks, Panchayat Level Federations, Village Poverty Reduction Committees).The group members have utilized the loans for various livelihood priorities, Economic activities, Children’s education Housing, Medical expenses, Social functions, etc.

Skill training

During the year under reporting, two batches of tailoring training of six months duration – one in Akkarapakkam in Ellapuram Block and the other at Natham in Gummidipoondi block – ware completed, training 40 women who learnt and utilize the skill for generating income. In Akkarapakkam 13 poor Dalit women who completed the training were provided Sewing machines used for training free of cost to enable them to continue to use the skill acquired. These machines were earlier bought for training purpose from out of CSR funding. CRUSADE distributed certificates to two batches that completed the training.

On completion of the above batches of training, CRUSADE organized two fresh batches, one at Velur village in Minjur block and the other at New Erumaivetti Palayam in Sholavaram block. In both centers, another 38 persons completed the training early this year, including 2 disabled in NEVP who were given Sewing machines at the end of the training free of cost. In February this year, CRUSADE organized one fresh batch in Old Erumaivetti Palayam (Sholavaram block) where 25 women are undergoing the training who will complete the training in July 2023.

Of the 28 women members of SHGs who underwent tailoring training at Velur, 14 have decided to avail PLF loans to purchase the sewing machines to continue the practice at home after the six months course. CRUSADE organized the procurement of machines at a concessional rate which were distributed to 14 women entrepreneurs on 26th December.

Under Village Sponsorship programme, In Kaniyambakkam CRUSADE provided Sewing machines to 20 poor women in Kaniyambakkam who have completed the six months training organized by the panchayat.

Self -Employment

Besides getting engaged in National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, more than 1000 women members ventured in self-employment activities, such as Fancy stores, petty shops, vegetables/fish/flower vending, eating shops, mushroom cultivation, papad making, livestock rearing, candle making etc.Two Stories on women entrepreneurs who ventured into unconventional enterprises – Rearing of Love birds and making dining plates out of areca nut leafs areattached.

Participation of WSHGs in other activities

WSHGs and PLFs (Panchayat Level Federations) work closely with CRUSADE and Panchayats in various Health promotions, Environment improvement water and Village development activities.

For instance all the 30+ WSHGs (around 300 women) of Kaniyambakkam village in Minjur participated in an half a day campaign on Climate Change and environment protection with a procession all over Panchayat villages which culminated in an awareness meeting.

In another village Athur (Sholavaram) the Health Committee formed mostly of WSHGs was instrumental in planting 250 mango and lemon tree saplings in village common land with labor drawn from Rural Employment Guarantee programme.

The Athur Health committee organized a rally and campaign on climate change in association with panchayat and PLF (Panchayat Level Federation and SHGs) in which around 300 women from SHGs participated. The rally covered all the four hamlets of the panchayat with awareness meeting at the end. SOTE team, UK are questions and answer at the meeting who also took part in the rally.

In the same village (Athur), the WSHGs in the village organized cleaning camp in common places and in the school with the participation of 56 students from the city college- Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research.

In S.Medu village (Voyalur Panchayat) in Minjur 13 WSHGs contributed Rs towards pipeline laying in streets as part of the water project implemented by CRUSADE in the village which involved extensive pipeline work as the bore well was dug at a distance to spot a potable underground water.

In all these activities labor component came from National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme implemented through the Panchayats.

Environment

As in the past, WSHGs were involved in planting fruit and timber tree saplings in their homestead. CRUSADE procured and distributed through WSHGs and special groups 500 trees saplings of different fruit and timber varieties in the project villages in four blocks. The tree saplings were distributed to 118 SHG and 18 special group members. The verities of fruit/timber tree saplings include Mango, Banana, Papaya, Coconut, Guava, Pomegranate, Orange, Neem, Teak, etc.

Vegetable seeds distribution

CRUSADE procured 34 kg of seeds from a reputed dealer in Trichy and distributed them well ahead of the monsoon. The seeds include greens, beans, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, snake gourd, aborigine, ladies finger, tomato, and radish.

The field staff packed the seeds in 5/10 grams and distributed 4242 packets to 653 WSHG and Disability group members (595+58 respectively).Growing vegetables in their backyard and consuming them improve the nutrition status of families. Salt of the Earth (SOTE) has started supporting CRUSADE’s work with Disabled people in Gummidipoondi block since April; 2021.The report highlights achievements of the project up to March, 2023.

Community Based Rehabilitation of people with Disability

CRUSADE’s strategy commenced with the setting up of special disability groups consisting of both male and female PwDs of all ages. The groups serve as a vehicle to deliver services and to empower the disabled. The groups are encouraged and taught basics of savings and thrift and internal lending. It empowered PwDs to understand finances and develop the confidence to engage in Economic activities to obtain supplementary income. CRUSADE serves as an intermediary between the Government and PwDs and ensures that the beneficiaries are aware of and avail the benefits all schemes.

The programme aims to improve the status of people with disabilities and enable them to live a life of dignity and self-reliance. It addresses disability not just as a health issue but also as socio-economic and rights based programme. It promotes a holistic model where it ensures that the differently abled people have access to Government welfare schemes but also provides support in other areas of importance such as health and rehabilitation, education, livelihood, and right to take ownership and responsibility for decisions that impact their life.

Achievements of the project during the year

The disability project in three blocks (Minjur, Sholavaram, and Ellapuram) is supported by Action village India where as Salt of the Earth support the project in Gummidipoondi block since April, 2021.

The Disability project in April 2022, the number of groups was 192 and the number of PwDs enrolled was 1974. The number of groups has now increased to 203 with around 2056 PwDs enrolled. Therefore, the number of new groups formed was 11 with more than 82 persons involved afresh.

ID cards and allowance from the State

The members having ID cards increased from 1631 to 1711. CRUSADE assisted more groups to open Bank accounts and now 140 groups have bank account. The number of PwDs receiving monthly maintenance allowance of Rs.1000/month from the state increased from 1039 to 1287 during the period (Total of Rs 29, 76,000/year). Most of the intellectually challenged persons receive Rs 2000/month. The TN state has increased the monthly allowance to Rs 1500/month for those who are receiving Rs1000 from Jan, 2023.

CRUSADE motivates and helps PwDs to attend monthly camps organized by state Government in PonneriTaluk hospital to obtain ID cards. During the year alone CRUSADE assisted 80 from Minjur, Sholavaram, Ellapuramand Gummidipoondi blocks to get ID cards which were issued on the day itself after medical assessment. Also CRUSADE assists them in writing to Chief Minister’s cell to receive Maintenance allowance. One Munisamy who is an LD with 65% disability has started receiving Maintenance allowance from the State due to CRUSADE efforts. Recently three such requisition letters from Gummidipoondi block were sent to CM’s cell for the allowance as their applications are long pending with district HQ. As a result there has been enquiry from Government officials.

Educational support to children of the Disabled

After two years of closure of educational institutions due to Corona Pandemic, the schools started functioning in October,21 and PwDs faced difficulty in meeting the expenses in sending the children to schools as several of them lost their livelihood due to lack of employment during the Pandemic. CRUSADE provided grant assistance of Rs 1000 to 96 of them this year school going children by depositing the amount in their bank account, which met the incidental expenses of school going children, thus providing a relief to Disabled parents.

Economic activities

CRUSADE carried out a survey of PwDs engaged in economic activities. Analysis of group wise data collected showed that 1247 of total 476 members (in the blocks) were earning some income through employment, either full time or part time. Of the total 1247, 62% about of them (771) are enrolled in Government Employment guarantee programme which provide 100 days of work in a year @ Rs 225/day. Around 242 have full time employment (19%) and 234 are pursuing full time or part time self-employment such as running a petty shop, barber shop, agriculture, goat / milch animal rearing, hotel assistance, tailoring and small businesses such as flower vending. As the project helps them in obtaining ID cards in the monthly camps, they secure job cards from the national employment guarantee programme which ensures them 100 days of wage employment.

The project continues to motivate people to get into an economic activity except in cases where the extent of disability is profound or if they are mentally challenged.

One Murugavel a bus driver is bedridden due an accident for several years. They have four children, all of them studying. Murugavel’s wife requested CRUSADE to help her in purchasing a calf for future milk business. CRUSADE contributed 50% money (Rs 6000) for purchase of the calf.

Janakiraman is in thirties and is orthopedically disabled and is rearing country birds for his livelihood, besides engaged in Government employment programme. He requested a fencing roll to protect the Chicken from flying off the backyard which CRUSADE provided.

Seedlings / vegetable seed packets distribution

The SHGs members and special group members who have homestead are encouraged to grow vegetables and plant tree saplings.

In March, 2023 SHGs members and special groups of PwDs in Minjur, Sholavaram, and Ellapuram Gummidipoondi blocks have been distributed 499 saplings (Mango, Mosambi, Orange, guava and chikku…etc) at nominal cost which they planted in their marginal land/homestead. The project also distributed 4242 vegetable seed packets to WSHGs members and PwDs groups.

Loans from Bank / PLF / VPRC

During the year 137 members in 27 special group’s have obtained loans total Rs 23.02 lakh from various sources (Banks, Panchayat Level Federations, Village Poverty Reduction Committees) who utilized the loans mainly for Housing, Income generation activity and for children’s marriage and education.

CRUSADE Assistance

CRUSADE provided financial assistance of total Rs 1.3 lakh to 7 members in 5 PwDs groups, who utilized the amount for Income generation activities such as petty shop, basket weaving and grocery shop.

Physiotherapy

In collaboration with The Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai (MAHER) which has all medical courses including Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy. CRUSADE organized Physiotherapy camps in the project area.

CRUSADE organized a physiotherapy camps in Sholavaram and Gummidipoondi blocks in which around 25 senior students lead by the Principal attended the camp. More than 170 PwDs participated who were taught exercises which they have to practice at home. Some of them were given mild electric shock. The camps also recommended assistive devices for the PwDs trained in Physiotherapy.

Assistive Devices

CRUSADE contacted Athinath Jain trust, Chennai for providing prosthesis limbs and other assistive devices to PwDs in the project area.

During this year CRUSADE arranged to provide through the CRUSADE, government and Jain Trust increased from 124 to 230 assistive devices to PwDs such as Tricycle, Prosthesis Leg,Wheel chair,Hearing Aid, Caliper, Walker and Walking stick.

Shoba is mother of two sons; both of them cannot hear or speak. Shoba take both of them to Chennai (35 KM) to educate them in a special school. She requested to CRUSADE hearing machine for the two sons, now both of them got hearing machine from Athinath Jain trust Chennai and also CRUSADE provided education grant Rs 1000/- to meet their education expenses.

Progress of ‘Vallamai’ (Strength), the Federation of special groups of the Disabled

The number of groups joining the federation in Minjur, Sholavaram, Ellapuramand Gummidipoondi blocks has increased to 166 paying the entrance fee of Rs.100.

Vallamai had its 4th AGM in July, 2022 in which 15 of the Special group’s members from Minjur, Sholavaram, Ellapuramand Gummidipoondi block participated and shared their experiences in income generation and other activities.

Vallamai extraordinary general body meeting was held in September, 2022. All trust members participated and it was decided to change the few objectives of the trust to enable Vallamai Trust to arrange financial assistance from other institutions.

The changed amendments have been registered in Nov, 2022, Vallamai has also secured in income tax exemption (80G and 12A) in Feb, 2023

Monitoring

The 203 groups have been formed into 42 clusters and the project coordinators attends cluster level meetings every month which discuss opening of bank accounts for groups (which do not have bank account), plan for securing ID cards/ maintenance allowance, physiotherapy needs, review of IG activities, inclusion of new members in the groups, review of group meetings in the villages and creating awareness on Government schemes etc. The groups which cannot participate in cluster level meetings due to remoteness and mobility issues meet separately which is attended by block as feasible.

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Access to clean water

CRUSADE's water project aims to provide clean water to villages in its project areas, addressing the pressing issue of water-borne diseases. This transformational initiative eliminates health problems and saves valuable time and energy for community members, particularly women, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks.

A lifeline for the villages

Generally, households rely on water supplied by the Panchayats, but it's often insufficient and irregular, especially during summer. The project ensures a year-round safe water supply by drilling up to 150 ft deep bore well, installing a motor pump, laying pipelines, and constructing a 3 feet surface-level platform with a 2000-litre capacity tank.

Brightening futures, one village at a time

CRUSADE has joined hands with village communities and Panchayats to identify the most deserving villages. Witnessing installing the water supply systems, the families in these villages found newfound hope for a healthier and brighter future. Moreover, as a positive ripple effect, the communities have also planted fruit tree saplings on panchayat common land and promote vegetable gardens which will help sustainability and self- reliance of Village level panchayat. The availability of clean water will help enhanced agricultural opportunities besides adapting to Climate change problems, contributing to their overall well-being and economic prosperity.

Expanding the reach

With the success and impact witnessed in the initial villages, CRUSADE has set its sights on more significant milestones. So far CRUSADE covered seven villages and two more on the pipeline. The facility is mostly separate from the Panchayat water supply which is done by having a OHT (Over Head Tank) invariably.

Village Sponsorship Programme

The village Sponsorship Programme was initiated in 2017 with funding support from Salt of the Earth. The villages sponsored by the donor contribute on an annual basis to address the basic needs of the village /School which is taken up in collaboration with village communities /schools. The type of programme differed from village to village depending on the felt needs of the People. The priority is given for potable water, water storage, school building renovation, infrastructure and sanitation in schools. Presently four villages are covered under sponsorship programme, two in Gummidipoondi, one in Ellapuram and one in Minjur Block.

• In Thandalacherry village (Gummidipoondi Block),two Government middle school buildings were renovated with total cost of Rs.3.5 lakh in 2022/2023.Earlier a water tank was installed on the roof with water taps and the three doors of the school toilets were replaced and toilets made functional.
• For the middle school in Natham village (Gummidipoondi Block), 160 students were provided white uniform, an overhead tank was installed for drinking water/kitchen purpose, and motor pump and water pipeline was laid for toilets. Furniture (One table and 2 chairs) were provided to local library and newspaper and books were supplied to encourage reading habits of students /others.
• In Akkarapakkam village (Ellapuram Block), CRUSADE dug a bore well for meeting the drinking water shortage &provided round tables and chairs for the primary schools. Health camps and cancer screening camps were conducted in the village under the sponsorship programme.
• In Kaniyambakkam village (Minjur Block), 40 poor women in SHGs who completed tailoring training in the panchayat were given sewing machines with some contribution by the beneficiaries .The high school in the village was provided sanitary latrine and furniture were repainted .The primary school in the village was given infrastructure assistance.

Ethical Gift

Ethical gift are items donated to poor rural households with the contribution given by SOTE supporters on occasions. These gift bring hope and relief to resource less rural families. Presently CRUSADE provides Delivery kits and spectacles as ethical gifts.

Delivery Kit

The delivery kit containing mosquito net, towel for baby, cotton dress, inners, Baby powder, baby oil, soap and sanitary napkin for mother is handed to new born mother who found it hard to have these essential items to care for the new born .During the last one year 14 young mothers were given this gift which is a boon to the poor mothers.

Spectacles

The distribution of spectacles after eye checkup camps in villages has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals who previously lacked access to proper vision care. The spectacles empower individuals to lead more fulfilling lives.

During the year CRUSADE distributed 165 spectacles for the persons who have vision problems like refractive errors and dimness of vision etc.

Adolescent girls' anemia control

Adolescence is a critical life stage. Investments in nutrition, quality education and physical and mental health can offer profound dividends in adult life. An iron deficient diet perpetuates an inter-generational cycle of anemic women giving birth to infants who are born with low iron stores and grow to become anemic children. This devastates children's physical growth, mental development and school performance.

A pilot study among 200 girls in the villages

The pilot study supported by Salt of the Earth aims to study the problem of anemia amongadolescent girls and take measures to improve the situation by initiating suitableaction. The project seeks to understand and address the prevalence of anemiaamong adolescent girls aged 11-19 years in select villages and covers the children of SHG members.

The outcome of the programme was positive that the majority of the girls had modifiedtheir diet. They have included more iron-rich foods. As a result, the girls' hemoglobin levels were consistently increased. They became more physically active and had a regular menstrual cycle.

The girls said, "We thought we were all healthy, but when we checked ourhemoglobin levels, we came to know we were in various categories. We learned about anemia, iron-rich food sources, and the importance of including fruits inour diet, and menstrual hygiene, which was very helpful".

Assessing hemoglobin levels

The study project with 200 girls in the first pagecould not be completed satisfactionlydue to corona, during which CRUSADE could not take the assessment which include using blood samples from pricking.

For the second batch of girls, the programme was started in 2021. 203 adolescent girls aged 11-19 were selected in 7 villages of 3 blocks. In the initial assessment, of the 203 girls, 33% were normal, 48% borderline, and 19% anemic.

Orientation on menstrual hygiene

Most girls were unaware of menstrual hygiene and experienced irregular menstrual cycles. To address such challenges, CRUSADE provided orientation on menstrual hygiene with the help of a lady doctor.

Nutrition awareness & diet modification

To address the problems in nutrition, CRUSADE creates awareness at schools and through health educators. The parents were educated on the importance of providing nutritious food such as vegetables and fruits, which are readily available in the villages.

CRUSADE also provided a specialized health mix, which contains cereals, millets,pulses and drug fruits rich in iron, protein and educational materials for all girlsenrolled.