Deepak Foundation

Part of Deepak Foundation's Annual Report, 2001-2002

In keeping with its commitment to social responsibility, the Deepak Group has also initiated the operations of Deepak Foundation (DMF & DCT) in Raigarh district, Maharashtra where its biggest plant is located. In 1988, DMF was founded in Raigarh district with the aim of providing health services to the rural people of this district who didn't have any access to health services at that time. It started functioning in a very small village namely, Chindhran which is situated on the banks of river Kasadi. The industrial area known as Taloja is two kilometer away from this village and has major industries like MERCK, DFPCL, INDALE, FLOAT GLASS, IGPL etc.

The population residing in these villages is primarily Agaris, Thakurs and Katakaris. The main religion in this area is Hindu and the caste composition reveals that the percentage of Agaris (OBC) is high (79.5 %). The educational level indicates that 63% male and 69% female were illiterate. The Thakurs and Katkaris (the tribal population) work as daily wages workers in the agricultural fields. The percentage of illiterate people is more than 76% in these communities. The age at marriage is found to 16-18 for girls and 19-21 for boys. Restrictions on adolescent girls are quite high. Drop out rate from school for girls is also high. Liquor consumption is a very common phenomenon observed in all these three communities.

Due to the remoteness of villages and lack of access to medical facilities, a clinic was set up under the aegis of DMF. The situation, then, in this area was very grim - infectious diseases such as scabies, leprosy were very common. The infant mortality rate was very high. The literacy rate was very low and this coupled with superstitions/myths/misconceptions about health problems kept the attendance rate at the clinic quite low. But with consistent efforts put in by the Deepak team at increasing the awareness of the local community regarding health problems, the people started attending the clinic. The work of DMF has evolved through many years and today its work covers 28 villages and 10 tribal `padas' with a population of 35,000. Along with providing daily health services to people, DMF also provides special services like OBGYN, pediatrics, immunization and leprosy clinics.

DMF CLINIC ATTENDANCE (2001)

Recently, DCT has started its activities in these villages as well. Under DCT activities, emphasis is given on community development rather than welfare. Women are at the core of all its program activities here just as in Nandesari.

Local health workers and `dais' (Traditional Birth Attendants) were selected and trained on various health related issues especially regarding women's and children's health. 90% women in this area undergo deliveries at home and are handled by untrained TBAs. Doctors are consulted only in case of complications. Considering this problem as very crucial from the point of women's health, DCT carried out a `dai' training. From 10 villages, `dais' were selected and trained for safe delivery at home. They were also distributed `safe motherhood kits' for ensuring safe deliveries. A Gynecology OPD is held every week wherein a consultant gynecologist visits DMF. Several antenatal cases are being referred to this OPD by the `Dais". 6 women from the community have been selected as Community level Health Workers. These women have undergone training on addressing basic health issues arising in the village i.e. creating awareness on the importance of ANC clinics; immunization etc.

During our interaction with the community, we have observed that the dropout rate (from schools) is very high for adolescent girls. Parents are not interested to send adolescent girls for further education due to fear of premarital sexual activities. It has been also observed that the mean age at marriage is 16 years for girls in this area and majority of the girls give birth to 3-4 children by the age 22-23 yrs. In view of this DCT started income generation activities for adolescent girls. In all 64 girls (45 in 2001) between the ages of 14 and 18 have availed of the sewing classes started by DCT. Along with skill development, DCT gives emphasis on awareness regarding gender, reproductive and sexual health. In the sewing classes, adolescent girls are provided information on various topics such as the reproductive process, contraceptive methods, RTI/STI/HIV/AIDS, nutrition, gender discrimination, etc. Different IEC material is used for these training.

"Not just sewing...

Anita is 31 years old and teaches adolescent girls sewing in the classes organized by DCT. Although she is the teacher, she says she has learnt many new things from the classes. The information on gender discrimination and contraception has had the most impact on her. She says "While allocating food I used to keep a smaller share for my daughters and myself. Now I have stopped that. I have also starting using birth control pills now. After learning about the importance of saving, with the help of DCT team, I have opened a savings account and save money from my salary for my children's future."

In 2001 DCT started the formation of Self Help Groups of women, which save regularly. The aim of the intervention is two-fold - to provide the women a source of credit that is affordable and secondly to build the capacities of the women to manage their own groups. Five Self Help Groups have been formed in the past year and the total number of members is 85. These groups save regularly and then loan these savings to the members who need it. Initially it was difficult to form these Self Help Groups, as the women were afraid that they would be cheated of their money. But after reiterating and clarifying that the control of the money would be entirely in their hands, we could form some groups. Now that these groups are active and the benefits are clear to see, it will be easier for us to form new groups. Training of the Presidents and Secretaries of the groups was carried out. The training included how to fill bank slips; record maintenance; money collection etc. A total of 10 women underwent this training. DCT hopes to form more such groups in 2002.

Thus, DCT&DMF share a common goal of capacity building and development. It believes in strengthening services to strengthening the community and from dependence to sustainability. Hence continuous efforts are made for community development in Raigarh district of Maharashtra.