In an example, Baathipar Pathin, a remote village in Gorahi post, Khalilabad block, Sant Kabir Nagar district stands a witness to the life saving story of toddlers. Khushi, daughter of Sangita and Vijaynath was seriously infected by diarrhea for more than a week, which endangered her life and took her closer to the jaws of death. Luckily, a street play regarding diarrhea was organised in village by Pahel workers. The devastated mother Sangita, in the absence of her migrant husband who worked as a labour in Ludhiana, Punjab, needed quick medication in order to save her child from this dangerous situation.
Looking for instant medical aid for the ailing Khushi, Sangita visited Rural Medical Practitioner (RMP) who prescribed Khushi a complete dose of Zinc-ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) combined therapy. Earnestly serving Khushi with prescribed ORS solution and Zinc syrup, Sangita saved her little daughter from the deadly infection of diarrhea. “Earlier people in the area used to medicate their children at home with homemade remedies. This practice is not only dangerous but also took many lives of infants in the area.”
Digital Empowerment
Mobile phones have reached almost all the villages, but due to the absence of internet, people are still cut off from the rest of the world. “Recently we have established a library where villagers learn computer, internet and read books etc. We are also starting a project where villagers can purchase their daily needs at home.” On asking is it an e-commerce platform, Pahel confirms: “It is not e-commerce as we are educating them with internet. Many of the villages don’t have internet till date. We are establishing free wi-fi with help of self-help groups and NGOs. With that internet we are giving them a platform where villagers will learn using internet.” Such small-scale initiatives will involve local shopkeepers from nearby villages to market homemade products.
Challenges
Spreading awareness through limited means such as street play, pamphlets, one-to-one interactions are major initiative of Pahel. But, resource crunch and lack of money always pose to be a big challenge. “Sometimes people don’t understand what we are talking about. For example, when we talk about solar energy they don’t accept this method at one meet-up. Villagers feel that solar lamps can destroy their cottages or it can harmful. Similarly, using same toilet by women and men is another mental hindrance for villagers.” If you want to be a volunteer, please contact: +91 9235411007