Interesting idea, I liked the fact that you could detail the impact you have had so far. Given this project could be replicated to other regions or even other interest areas, I would entice you to detail the tools you used to reach your results. Almost like creating a 'how to' guide, this will enable other organizations in the same situation to follow on the good results you have had.
On the long run, you have clear goals, which are good guidance. Apart from government bureaucracy, what else could slow or stop the project? How much money will you need going forward? Are there alliances with media bodies that could be considered? Can the people involved in each campaign also train others using their experience?
If possible, please explain why RUTF should not be used in such cases.
We in fact have been proactively vigilant since past couple of years when we began alerting the governemnt of malnutrition deaths among U5 Korku children. We built up our field team's capability at monitoring malnutrition, documenting the food insecurity scenario of the families of Severely Malnourished children, conducting oral autopsy to ascertain the cause of death and extent of outreach of health, nutrition and employment schemes. A special focus was accorded to collect case studies with all possible details and minute facts. The reports churned out had all the facts supported by case studies to make a point. These crisp and fact loaded reports were very handy for the media and served as reference material for many investigations and enquiries that went a long way to establish the gravity of malnutrition among U5 Korku children. Apart from this we also advocated that on one hand the governemnt should improve the quality of the services and on the other hand should ensure the optimum access to food and employment facilities of families with malnourished children and those who have lost their children.
All these steps have activated the government to take the issue more seriously than before.
with regard to what can slow or stop the project is the governemnt commmittment and priority. But that seems a distant fact as now even teh international agencies like IFPRI has substantiated the fact that sitauation in the region has deteriiorated to the like of Ethipoia and Chad.
Media has been very supportive and still has been raising the issue and trying to build pressure fro pro children policies. After seeing the situation on field Hunger and malnutrition has turned the media and they have kept covering it.
We have substantial experience by now to train other grassroots organizations. We are in the process to come out with a malnutrition surveillance manual soon.
To carry on the works we may need approximately $200000 per annum.
I can see your problem, I guess it would be important to focus efforts in this case. If media is a good ally, is it possible to leverage them further? Activelly communicate to them and constantly find new issues/ subjects they can talk about. Just an idea...
Thanks for a great entry! We would really like to hear more about what kinds of activities are conducted at these child friendly centers. Also, would you mind providing us with more details on how these child friendly centers are innovative?
Great project. It seems that the program relies on media coverage and awareness to motivate the government to provide support for anganwadis and grain provision. In what ways are the Korku themselves involved in this process? I see a great opportunity for them to be empowered to act as community representatives, communicating with the media and government officials directly to share their story. In what way is this program interacting with other other tribal groups in India? Is this a problem unique to the Korku or can it be framed as a larger tribal concern? In this way, it might be possible to scale up and also receive more support (from the government and other funders) to ensure sustainability.
On another note, are there ways that this project can engage the Korku in new practices that will benefit their their children's health? For instance, new farming methods and crops that are better suited to their conditions? By enabling the Korku to serve themselves, the project might see longer-lasting benefits.
Comments
Interesting idea, I liked the fact that you could detail the impact you have had so far. Given this project could be replicated to other regions or even other interest areas, I would entice you to detail the tools you used to reach your results. Almost like creating a 'how to' guide, this will enable other organizations in the same situation to follow on the good results you have had.
On the long run, you have clear goals, which are good guidance. Apart from government bureaucracy, what else could slow or stop the project? How much money will you need going forward? Are there alliances with media bodies that could be considered? Can the people involved in each campaign also train others using their experience?
If possible, please explain why RUTF should not be used in such cases.
good luck!
We in fact have been proactively vigilant since past couple of years when we began alerting the governemnt of malnutrition deaths among U5 Korku children. We built up our field team's capability at monitoring malnutrition, documenting the food insecurity scenario of the families of Severely Malnourished children, conducting oral autopsy to ascertain the cause of death and extent of outreach of health, nutrition and employment schemes. A special focus was accorded to collect case studies with all possible details and minute facts. The reports churned out had all the facts supported by case studies to make a point. These crisp and fact loaded reports were very handy for the media and served as reference material for many investigations and enquiries that went a long way to establish the gravity of malnutrition among U5 Korku children. Apart from this we also advocated that on one hand the governemnt should improve the quality of the services and on the other hand should ensure the optimum access to food and employment facilities of families with malnourished children and those who have lost their children.
All these steps have activated the government to take the issue more seriously than before.
with regard to what can slow or stop the project is the governemnt commmittment and priority. But that seems a distant fact as now even teh international agencies like IFPRI has substantiated the fact that sitauation in the region has deteriiorated to the like of Ethipoia and Chad.
Media has been very supportive and still has been raising the issue and trying to build pressure fro pro children policies. After seeing the situation on field Hunger and malnutrition has turned the media and they have kept covering it.
We have substantial experience by now to train other grassroots organizations. We are in the process to come out with a malnutrition surveillance manual soon.
To carry on the works we may need approximately $200000 per annum.
I can see your problem, I guess it would be important to focus efforts in this case. If media is a good ally, is it possible to leverage them further? Activelly communicate to them and constantly find new issues/ subjects they can talk about. Just an idea...
Thanks for a great entry! We would really like to hear more about what kinds of activities are conducted at these child friendly centers. Also, would you mind providing us with more details on how these child friendly centers are innovative?
- Naveen Shakir, Ashoka’s Changemakers
Great project. It seems that the program relies on media coverage and awareness to motivate the government to provide support for anganwadis and grain provision. In what ways are the Korku themselves involved in this process? I see a great opportunity for them to be empowered to act as community representatives, communicating with the media and government officials directly to share their story. In what way is this program interacting with other other tribal groups in India? Is this a problem unique to the Korku or can it be framed as a larger tribal concern? In this way, it might be possible to scale up and also receive more support (from the government and other funders) to ensure sustainability.
On another note, are there ways that this project can engage the Korku in new practices that will benefit their their children's health? For instance, new farming methods and crops that are better suited to their conditions? By enabling the Korku to serve themselves, the project might see longer-lasting benefits.
Post new comment