OMRAH STORY.cdr
Transcription
OMRAH STORY.cdr
CASE STORY: Orissa Institute of Medical Research and Health Services (OMRAH), Orissa -Adam MacGregor, Volunteer CASE STORY: Orissa Institute of Medical Research and Health Services (OMRAH), Orissa -Adam MacGregor, Volunteer All children no matter where from, are recognized as individuals with the right to participate in decisions affecting their lives and those of their families; is my vision. If children are most impacted by problems in a society, then why not give them an equal hand in the solution? In Orissa, rural Eastern India, I saw it in action, through the work of Orissa Institute of Medical Research and Health Services (OMRAH), a CRY America-supported project. Partners with CRY since 1997, OMRAH works in 18-villages in Nischintakoili block, Cuttack district, to ensure the right to adequate government-delivered health care, education and livelihood programs. Jagannathpur is a tiny hamlet, with mostly scheduled caste community (the lower sections of society). Small hutments near Jagannathpur Their hutments nestled among palm groves, bamboo and rice paddies were enchanting , but the real wonder came in seeing how the people organize themselves to claim their rights from representative officials. Parents can't afford to travel the distance. So children petitioned through postcards to various governing bodies to shift birth registration to the more accessible panchayat (local village council) offices. To date, over 750 postcards have been sent. Children in Jagannathpur Here, the children play a huge role in the society's progress. With direction from OMRAH, a children's action group comprising 20 members from each village took up the task of demanding a simplified birth-registration process, a process critical to every child's right to an identity especially school enrolment. Currently, the birth registration has to be made at the block development office located some 20 km away. (L-R) Madhusmita Sahoo (class 6), Nirupama Behena (class 6), Kalyani Panda (class 4) Monalisha and Itishree Through traditional song, dance and drama, the children's group promotes social awareness on issues of education, health, survival and protection from exploitation. One program saw Itishree Panda, and Monalisha Sahoo, two girls in 8th standard dressed as pandits under a banana tree stress the need for citizens to not tolerate corruption and seek government commitment to ensure rights. Two others used comedy to show how to apply for a job card through India's recently passed National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.(NREGA). The NREGA legally guarantees 100 days employment in every financial year to adult members of a rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. In this region however, out of over 500 applicants in one village, only 100 received job cards and even fewer were awarded work. Efforts for rights are still underway in and around Jagannathpur, but one thing is for certain. With OMRAH and CRY America, the children are learning invaluable lessons in democracy and responsible citizenship to become betterinformed people and see a better India for all. Achievements 2008 1260 Health check up of children done 10 Health committees activated 2664 61 New births (0-1 yr) registered 9 Number of children removed from labour 80% 8 Villages that have all children enrolled in school 86 Immunization coverage of children 10 No of people Ration card Community level Children between to whom sanctioned (card awareness cultural 6-14 yrs mainstreamed that provides eligibility for programme held in school subsidized food grains)