Above are our Reproductive and Child Health staff meeting at our office
Our staff met on Saturday September 26 in our office in Guraru and decided to go back to work the following Monday. They brainstormed their strategies regarding staying Covid safe while working in the villages.
They are trying to avoid public transport where possible and walk to the closer villages. They are encouraging social distancing, wearing of masks and regular hand washing and sanitiser use.
Thankfully Coronavirus has not taken a strong hod in this rural area where we work although sadly in India overall, the number of infections stands at over 6 and a half million with over 102,000 deaths.
The Reproductive and Child Health staff are not holding large group meetings however the female staff are meeting newly married women, pregnant women and women with babies one to one at their homes outside or in the courtyard which most homes have.
Aarti Kumari of Mahimapur village proudly showed her baby to staff member Renu who encouraged Aarti
to attend the regular monthly immunisation days and to bring her immunisation card. to them.
Staff member Sunita met Kiran Devi on left and her mother in law Khushbu. Kiran had recently married Khushbu's son
They are also meeting adolescent girls in small groups.
The male staff are talking one to one with married men with two or more children about the possibility of having a vasectomy, and meeting the adolescent boys in small groups of 2 or 3.
Teachers are now meeting girls one to one for one hour per week as there are 20 girls per Literacy Centre and the teachers work 24 hours per week. The extra 4 hours will be given to helping those students who are struggling, making resources and writing reports.
Here teacher Suman Kumari is working with a student at Bishnupur Literacy Centre. Teachers are happy to have resources available after the difficult time of teaching over the phone.
A reminder for Northern Rivers Folk
Book your place for the clothes swap if you don't want to miss out. Phone Francoise on 0404 728 450.
Feel like a new wardrobe?
Here's your chance to swap your lovely but rarely worn clothes for others.
Bring Quality dresses, skirts, tops, pants, jackets but of course no underwear or swimwear. You could also bring bags, hats, shoes and jewellery.
But again please remember only quality goods. We do not want to have to fill our wheelie bins with clothes that we can’t give to Vinnies after the event.
If you have baby or children’s clothes as well, here’s your chance to swap them for the next size up. Please bring them in a basket or bring along a mat to display them on.
We will provide hanging racks and tables to display the clothes.
Please bring your hanging clothes on hangers. Bring a frock and take home a frock on your hanger!
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, we are only able to have 50 people. The hall will hold 20 people, there is a large verandah and large outdoor area we can spread out on, so don't worry about being in a confined space. This will be a Covid safe event.
Everyone will need to ring beforehand to book a place.
This is a fundraiser for Women’s Empowerment in Indian Villages and so a donation of $20 per person is requested.
Included in the $20 will be refreshments of drinks and cakes
and of course a wonderful convivial atmosphere where I’m sure you’ll meet lots of friends. We might even have some live music (we are working on it).
So tell all your friends and family, forward this email to anyone you think may be interested and make sure you book as soon as possible. You don’t want to miss out do you?
When: Saturday, October 17, 2 pm
Where: Gondwana Community
Grays Lane, Tyagarah
Donation: $20
Please phone Francoise on 0404 728 450 and book your place.
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