vtk-update-oct-2017

October 2017

Update on Activities in Vallithathankottai (VTK), the second village in CHAD’s Model Village Program.

A Message from CHAD Head of Dept. Dr. Jasmine Helan and Jawadhi Hills Coordinator Dr. Anu Rose: We are now in the 2nd month of activities in Vallithathankottai (VTK), the second village chosen to improve water, sanitation, education and livelihood. Since our initial meeting in July, we have mapped the village for wells, tanks, houses, garbage and sewage. Following this we started constructing toilets.

1. Toilets: We have a different set of masons (than in Village 1 Koiloor) however they were trained by the Koiloor masons according to the toilets they built. They are now constructing the 16th toilet. All toilets are of the same dimensions and pattern as the ones in the previous village. We are continuing with this design as there have been no complaints from the users in Koiloor. We have been delayed in completing construction as the underground soak pits can only be dug when it is relatively dry; it has been raining almost every day. We are continuing with other parts of the construction, and as soon as the weather permits, we will return to complete the soak pits.

2. Income generation: VTK, and the whole of Jawadhi has received good rain this year. Almost all wells and tanks have water. People are busy with agricultural activities. For VTK we have been able to help the people access some of the available government projects towards income generation. Seventeen (17) households received one piglet each through a program funded by the state government. Seven (7) households with water tanks received fish to start a fishery. For the other households we will use the funds donated by the Foundation and others to help with some income generation.

3. Education: The building identified to start a balwadi (Preschool) has to be renovated. It is now leaking due to the rains. We will get an estimate of the costs to repair it and send it to the Foundation for approval.

4. Healthcare: Due to the rains Jawadhi is seeing more and more respiratory illnesses and dengue. The hospital and field staff are educating the people on mosquito control.

The Veerapanoor hospital is continuing to function on a daily basis. There is a steady increase in out patient numbers and in the number of patients being referred to CMC. We are still working out the land details and formalities towards buying the property from Don Bosco, following which we hope to construct a training center and small residential facility for medical staff to stay there for a few days at a time..

The mobile clinics run 5 days a week. Heavy rains forced cancellation of some planned trips; we try to get the medicines for chronic disease patients as close as possible, often stopping at the nearest accessible village.

Other issues: VTK, being an agricultural village, is very spread out, with many bits of cultivated land between the houses. One section of the village is separated from the rest of the village by a stream which is usually dry. After the rains, the stream swelled to the size of a small river and cut off the houses from the rest of the village and the road. This has had the most serious affect on the children, as they usually walk to school. This walk now takes about 45 min because they have to go through the forest. The Children’s Parliament has requested a bridge be built. We will submit a petition to the collector (government official). The collector has invited the Children’s Parlaiment to visit his office, and we will facilitate this trip.