Change of mindset through awareness and education

Jobonti Reang (50years F) and her husband Bhumi joy (55 Male) belongs to the Tribal Village in Andercherra, under Pecharthal Block, Unakoti Tripura. Along with them they have their Children Mitrajoy, Rumbati and grandchildren. The place is one of the hard to reach area in Tripura. Andercherra is a tribal village and people are not fully aware about the virus or the vaccination. The people living in the area are mostly engaged in farming or daily wage. The coverage for vaccination especially in the hard to reach areas is not very encouraging. There are multiple reasons like lack of awareness, vaccine hesitancy, and loss of daily wage or at times migration.

The field team of VHAT working under the M-RITE Project supported by USAID had been dedicatedly working towards reaching the people unreached in joint collaboration with the State Health Department. In one such occasion the field team had visited house to house and enquired if the people in the area were vaccinated. Field Associate Basanta Chakma had come across Jobonti Reang during the house to house visit. While speaking with Jobonti about getting vaccinated she responded “I have to take care of my house and the grandchildren. I am strong I don’t need vaccine. Vaccine will make me weak“ .

Basanta Chakma Field associate explained about the vaccine and the benefits of getting vaccinated. Jobonti was surprised to know about the details and later agreed to get vaccinated. “I was informed that vaccine weakens the immune system. Only today I realized that I was wrong. I shall get vaccinated but you have to help me get vaccinated”. Basanta assured to get her vaccination done at the nearest PHC.

On 26th May Jobonti Reang got herself vaccinated at East Andercherra PHC. The field team didn’t stop their support just after the vaccination. Basanta during his regular visit had visited Jobonti to check on her health. She is hale and hearty. She further added “No one cares for anyone without expecting anything in return. The way you all have checking up on me makes me feel healthier. Thank you for your service”.

Basanta was touched and humbled by the feedback and thanked Jobonti for her cooperation. Basanta further stated that “I feel truly blessed for having being able to serve the people and the community in my own small way. It is because of my organization and the support of USAID M-RITE that I have had the opportunity and I shall continue serving humanity till I can”

Jobonti’s husband is fully vaccinated. Many like Jobonti have the wrong information and thus are unvaccinated. The team at the field level are constantly on the move and trying their best to create awareness and get as many people as possible vaccinated so that everyone is protected against the dreadful virus COVID19. The overall coverage of the village is 68% vaccinated with first dose and 49% people are vaccinated with second dose.

Success story of self employed tailoring under LEDP Hrishyamukh Block, South Tripura District

Introduction:Voluntary Health Association of Tripura (VHAT) has conducted Livelihood and Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) inKrishnanagar underHrishyamukhBlock of South Tripura District through supported by NABARD, Tripura Region. The training has built the technical knowledge of the women SHG members on various aspects of women tailoring. They have started the production from home with new skills and confidence; by offering alteration services and custom clothing designs in her local community.

Pre-Implementation Status:
Before the initiation of the Self-Employed Tailoring training under the Livelihood Entrepreneur Development Program, the following challenges were observed in the local community:

Unemployment: A lack of job opportunities in the region led to economic instability for many households.

Limited Skillets: Tailoring skills among community members were either non-existent or limited to basic knowledge, restricting their earning potential.

Dependence On Agriculture: The majority of the population relied on agriculture, which was seasonal and insufficient to meet their financial needs.

Market Access Issues: Potential entrepreneurs lacked exposure to market dynamics, leading to unawareness about customer preferences and pricing strategies.

Challenges Faced During Implementation:

Initial Hesitation: Beneficiaries were initially reluctant to participate due to skepticism about the program’s outcomes.

Infrastructure Constraints: Setting up training facilities with adequate tailoring machines and materials required significant coordination.

Skill Gaps: Many participants had no prior experience in tailoring, necessitating additional foundational training sessions.

Market Linkages: Establishing connections with industrial buyers and local markets required significant networking efforts.

Impact
The program has had a significant positive impact on the lives of the 90 beneficiaries, fostering individual and community growth.

Skill Development:

1. Participants acquired comprehensive tailoring skills, including stitching, pattern-making, and finishing techniques.
2. Exposure visits enhanced their understanding of industry standards and successful entrepreneurial practices.

Entrepreneurship Development:

1. Beneficiaries were encouraged to establish their tailoring businesses, with many starting home-based units or joining cooperative ventures.
2. Market surveys provided insights into customer demands, pricing, and fashion trends, enabling better business planning.

Financial Empowerment:

1. Participants reported increased household income through tailoring and stitching orders.
2. A few beneficiaries secured contracts from local garment manufacturers, ensuring steady work.

Confidence and Community Engagement:

1. Refresher training sessions instilled confidence and reinforced technical skills, ensuring continuous improvement.
2. The program promoted collaboration among participants, leading to the formation of small groups for bulk orders and resource sharing.

Sustainability and Market Integration:

1. Strong linkages with markets and local retailers helped beneficiaries secure a consistent demand for their products.
2. Partnerships with industrial buyers opened new avenues for scaling up operations.

Some glimpse and details of successful candidate

1) Mrs Kusum Kar Address: Haripur, Krishnagar, Hrishyamukh Block
Average monthly income: Rs.6000/- to 7000/-
Bank Credit linkage – Rs.100000/- (Rupees One lakh only)

2) Mrs Priyanka Jala Das Address: Krishnagar, Hrishyamukh Block, South Tripura District.
Average monthly income: Rs 7000/- to 8000/-
Bank Credit linkage – Rs.100000/- (Rupees One lakh only)

3) MrsPutol Some Mitra Address :Abhoynagar, Hrisymukh Block South Tripura District
Average Monthly Income: Rs. 8000/- to 9000/-
Bank credit Linkage: Rs.100000/- (Rupees One lakh only)

4) Mrs Ratna Baidhy Majumder Address :Krsihnagar, Hrishyamukh Block South Tripura District
Contact no- 8974229074
Average monthly income – Rs 7500/- to 9500/-
Bank Credit Linkage – applied

MOMENTUM ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION TRANSFORMATION AND EQUITY PROJECT

75thIndependence Day: Special Day Celebration

The 75thIndependence Day of India was celebrated with greatspirit and enthusiasmby the VHAT team in 6 Districts of Tripurai.e., North, Unakoti, Khowai, Dhalai, Gomati, South.

Gomati District: A special vaccination camp was organized for the BSF Jawans of 156 BL of Gomati District who were left out of vaccination on the Independence Day in BSF camp of Bagma Block along with the BSF troops. Team reached the headquarter at 11 am, where the Jawans have already hoisted the flag. After that vaccination camp was organized where total of 53 persons were vaccinated. VHAT team commemorated the sacrifices of freedom fighters who have gone above and beyond to protect the nation.

Khowai District: Celebrated the day in Kalyanpur Block. Sri Pinaki Das Chowdhury, MLA of Kalyanpur Block graced the occasion with his presence and hoisted the national flag and delivered a speech on Independence day. Vaccination camp was organized in 2 locations Kalyanpur bazaar and a nearby Loknath ashram. MLA Sri Pinaki Das later inaugurated the Inaugurated the vaccination camp where MPW, ASHA workers were also present. In this camp a total of 83 persons were vaccinated. After the vaccination camp all the participants paid respect to the country with the flag in hand.

North District: Celebrated the day in a colourful manner, in Padmabil GP area where the field staffs participated in traditional wear. Premjit Debnath, local club president hoisted the national Flag, Chocolates were distributed among some childrens who held a rally for the Independence Day. The team has made the vaccination camp even better by organizing a cultural programme, where patriotic songs were performed.Which was later followed by a vaccination camp where 137 persons were vaccinated. VHAT team organized lunch for the participants.

Dhalai District: The day was celebrated in Anganwadi center of Karamchara VC, Manu Block with immense joy. Team met CHO of the PHC of that area and planned to celebrate the Independence Day along with conduct a vaccination camp. That day a small program was organized where VHAT team members delivered a small speech on Independence Day along with that they also gave a small idea about VHAT to all the participants. Followed that vaccination camp was conducted where 36 persons were vaccinated. At the end of programme sweets were distributed among all the participants.

Unakoti District: The district has seen the great enthusiasm and active participation of people on this special Day. The day was celebrated in Pushparaj club of Gournagar Block, where the vaccination camp was being organized. On Independence Day flag was hoisted by Pushparaj club president in presence of club editor, Gram pradhan, school principal. A smalldiscussion was done on Covid vaccine following which a cultural programme was conducted and a art competition was organized for the school students. Vaccination started at 11 am.A totalof 68 persons were vaccinated. Post vaccination program lunch was distributed among all the invitees.

South District: Observed the day with great ardour, CMO of South District inaugurated the Independence Day programme in presence of DIO and other gov. officials. After inauguration CMO delivered a short speech on Independence Day. Following the program the vaccination camp was conducted where 30 people were vaccinated. The programme started from 11 am and continued till 2 pm.

In total 407persons were vaccinated on this special day in all over the 6 Districts.

VHAT takes immense pride in conducting successful vaccination programme on the great occasion of 75thIndependence Day of our country. The people of Tripura have come up together with an extraordinary participation and made this vaccination programme a memorable one.

MOMENTUM ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION TRANSFORMATION AND EQUITY PROJECT

Special Day Celebration- RakshaBandhan 2022

This year the VHAT team celebrated the occasion of Rakshabandhan on 11th August 2022 in a grand manner with great enthusiasm in four districts of Tripura i.e, Khowai, South, North and Gomati.

Khowai District: In Khowai District the day was celebrated in Naitalim High School, located in Teliamura Block. At 10 am the team reached the school. The students from 6th to 10th standard gathered for prayer meet where the auspicious day started with their prayers. After prayer all the students including their parents, school teachers, Headmaster gathered in a room, where a brief discussion took place to share some knowledge about the rakhi festival with the students. Following that discussion VHAT volunteers tied rakhi on the wrist of the students and other participants and in return few students also tied rakhi to the VHAT team. Thereafter Vaccination was organized in the school where total 105 students were vaccinated. The program was concluded by distributing chocolate among the students.

Gomati: District: The Special day celebration was done by organizing a vaccination camp in Jaleya BSF BOP at Karbook Block. In the morning the team reached the camp and met the Jawans where their Assistant commandant was also present. Miss Karishma Sharma,JSI communication officer also joined the VHAT team for celebrating the day with the BSF troop. VHAT team expressed their wish to celebrate the special day of Rakshabandhan with the BSF jawans. The Battalion immediately agreed to the proposal. After that rakhi was tied in the hands of 140 BSF personnel and few civilians by VHAT team .Following that a vaccination camp was also conducted where 124 BSF personnel total were vaccinated. In the end the BSF battalion thanked the VHAT team and distributed sweets to everyone.

North District: North district celebrated the day in Dasda Purnajay Para TSR Camp. The VHAT team had already decided to hold a vaccination camp in the TSR camp on the day of Rakshabandhan. On the scheduled day team VHAT including the District coordinator and field associates visited the TSR camp and did a small discussion with the army officials about VHAT and different social works done by VHAT. Following that the field staff expressed their desire to celebrate Rakshabandhan with the army personnel, to which they happily agreed. Thereafter the VHAT staff tied rakhi to the TSR army. Following that vaccination camp was conducted where 29 TSR army were vaccinated. later on, they thanked the VHAT team for organizing the beautiful program , after that sweets were distributed among them.

South District: In south district the festival of Rakshabandhan was observed in Srinagar Outpost located in Srinagar area, Sabroom Block. On the day of Rakshabandhan few local village members also gathered in the outpost to get vaccinated. VHAT staff reached the outpost along with MPW of DasarathNagar Sub center. Thereafter VHAT volunteers tied rakhi on the hands of the policemen and the local village members. Following that a small discussion was done on COVID19 vaccine by the District Coordinator and MPW, after that vaccination camp was conducted where 45 policemen were vaccinated. The In charge of the outpost thanked and appreciated the VHAT team for vaccinating the left out police personnels. In the end small refreshment was organized for everyone.

In total 313 eligible persons were vaccinated that day. Every one participated in this event with great enthusiasm. The army personnel were floored by the affection showered by the team.

We Shall Overcome

Kaskao Refusal Relief Camp under Nitainagar sub-center is in Damcherra Block area of North Tripura district. Around 4000 people are refugees, engaged as daily wage earners and Jhum cultivators. They mostly are dependent on their daily wage work for their livelihood. When the global epidemic of COVID-19 virus disrupted normal life, some people in the area were vaccinated against Covid vaccine, some of them got sick and the rest refused to get vaccinated. Despite repeated attempts by the health department, they did not agree to get vaccinated. When our team started visited door-to-door and reached every household in the village, we found that a large percentage of the people in the area had not been vaccinated. Then, our field Associates from Damcherra Block visited to vaccinate the rest of the people. But due to rumors and misconceptions the villagers refused to get vaccinated. Despite repeated attempts to persuade the general public, not everyone was willing to be vaccinated under any circumstances. It was a very grave and alarming situation as the people of Damchara were largely unvaccinated. Especially in the Tribal Belt areas the it has been observed that there is huge refusal.

After much thought it was decided to knock the doors of the Panchayat and seek their support. A meeting with all the panchayat members including the local panchayat head and chairman was held. Post discussions prompt action was taken and within a day Field Associate visited the village and a special house-to-house awareness campaign was carried out. Also an awareness program was implemented through miking in the whole area. The list of unvaccinated people was preparedand verified during house to house visit by field team.

Upon consultation with the local health department and district health authorities a mobile vaccination campaign was organized from 11thMay to 22ndMay 2022 in presence of BDO of Damcherra Block, MOIC, MPW and many members in the village were vaccinated through the mobile vaccination. About 1500 people were vaccinated with first dose and 300 more were vaccinated with second dose. These people vaccinated in the huge refusal area was due to the joint efforts of State Health Department and field staffs of Sub Awardee for Momentum Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity. It won’t be wrong to conclude that the “Har GharDastak 2.0” and efforts through mobile vaccination in the area was a huge success.