I Barkavi Erumaivettipalayam (Sholavaram)
Iam Barkavi, 17 years old. I reside in New Erumaivettipalayam village, Sholavaram block.Iam a person with Hearing disability since childhood. Iam a participant of the Adolescent girls anemia control programme. Iam happy that CRUSADE staff enrolled me in the programme because I often restrict myself in social activities because of my disability. The programme has made come out of my house and mingle with girls of my age during the training sessions though I cannot hear.
I was assessed for my Hemoglobin levels twice. Initial assessment showed that my Hb level was below 10 gm/dl and that Iam anemic. I was counseled about nutritious diet and provided health mix. I was given special care that the staff always see to that I never miss the sessions conducted. My HB level is gradually improving and I also feel more active.Thanks to CRUSADE for this opportunity in imparting knowledge on anemia, nutritious diet and menstrual hygiene.
II Jayalakshmi Budhur (Sholavaram)
N.Jayalakshmi of Budhur village is 16 years old and has stepped in first year of college. Jayalakshmi is Anemic when assessed with Heamoglobin level 9.9gm/dl during the initial assessment. Jayalakshmi is taken care by her father and seems to be poorly nourished because of lack of mothers care. There is no nutritious rich food intake in her case also because of no proper care provider. Jayalakshmi was counselled on diet and explained the importance of the Health mix. She was advised to consume it regularly by making a porridge.
Her HB levels in the subsequent assessments were 11.7gm/dl,11.4gm/dl,11.9gm/dl which shows a gradual and consistent improvement in her HB levels making her categorized from anemic to borderline category. Jayalakshmi is happy to see such a change in herself and thankful to CRUSADE for the motherly care.
III Keerthiga Periyasozhiyambakkam (Gummidipondi)
P.Keerthiga is 16 years old and has stepped in first year of college, from Periyasozhiyambakkam village of Gummidipondi block. Keerthiga was anemic when assessed with Heamoglobinlevel 9.5gm/dl during the initial assessment. Keerthiga’s mother was so much worried when she saw the finding. She regularly assists her daughter during the training sessions on Health, Diet etc and even during the assessments. She started giving her iron rich food and regularly prepared the porridge using the Health mix distributed by CRUSADE .
Keerthika’s mother is happy to see the HB levels improving in the subsequent assessments as 10.9gm/dl,11.5gm/dl, 11.8gm/dl and 12.6 in the latest assessment which shows a gradual and consistent improvement in her HB levels making her categorized from anemic to normal category. Keerthika and her mother are happy to see the finding and also she is also one of the adolescent girls whose menstrual cycle has regularized since the consumption of health mix.
IV : Subashree, VoyalurKuppam (Minjur)
Subashree was 11 years old when she first participated the pilot study. The fear of needle prick and drawing blood sample prevented Subashree from assessing her Haemoglobin level. But she was keenly listening to what was explained about anaemia. Subsequently she felt the need and importance of testing and overcoming the fear got herself tested. Her HB level was 7.2g/dl and she came to know that she was severely anemic. She got worried about her HB level. She was advised to include nutritious and iron rich food items and to include one fruit in the diet.
She was also provided Health mix and asked to make a porridgeof it to be taken as a first food of the day. Next testing showed an improvement to 8.7g/dl and in the subsequent test the level was 9.1g/dl. Though subashree is still under anemic category there is consistent increase in her HB level which makes her feel physically better and is ever eager to undergo the test whenever conducted. She is now studying 9th std.
Happy Subashree riding the new bicycle (provided by the state) to tuition class
