SHARP – School Health Action Research Project

Svarnim organised an Orientation cum Felicitation event for teachers, held on August 24th, 2022. This half-day workshop, hosted at the DIET campus, brought together subject experts, nodal teachers, and physical education teachers from the 15 participating schools. The event aimed to address crucial objectives and highlight the significance of physical activity for overall health, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Shri. Raghunath, Director of Svarnim Puducherry, delivered the keynote speech emphasizing the importance of physical activity and its connection to good health. He highlighted the necessity for both students and adults to engage in physical activities to combat non-communicable diseases. Shri M. Nadanasabhapathy, Deputy Director of Women’s Education, Directorate of School Education, also spoke about how the SHARP project aligns with the forthcoming School Health Ambassador program, which aims to train teachers to promote health and prevent diseases among students. The felicitation ceremony was a significant event that acknowledged and celebrated the remarkable contributions of teachers and heads of institutions to the SHARP project in the preceding academic year. The Chief Guests bestowed honors upon these educators for their praiseworthy endeavors.

In August, Svarnim joyously celebrated "Aadi Perukku" or "Aadi Pattam," a significant occasion deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of Tamilnadu. This auspicious time witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 15 schools involved in the SHARP project, as they conducted sowing activities in their respective Kitchen Gardens. The primary objective of these gardens is to impart valuable knowledge to children regarding the advantages of organic farming, the vital role of nutrition in improving their immunity, and to provide them with practical experience in sowing, planting, germination, monitoring growth, and ultimately, harvesting. In line with our commitment to assessing and enhancing the nutritional well-being of the children, we also initiated the process of conducting anthropometric measurements within the schools. These measurements are instrumental in evaluating the overall health status, nutritional sufficiency, and growth and development patterns of each child. Height, weight, and body mass index measurements were recorded for students ranging from class 5 to class 8. The combined efforts in August 2022 impacted a total of 200 children, sensibly enlightening them and enabling them to reap the benefits of these initiatives.

In an effort to gauge the effectiveness of the SHARP project, a post-assessment survey was conducted in ten schools, targeting children classified as underweight, overweight, or obese based on their BMI (body mass index). This survey, conducted in July, involved 431 children and aimed to evaluate the impact of counseling sessions and determine the extent to which recommended physical exercises and activities were being implemented within their households.

Svarnim Puducherry has announced the inclusion of five new schools this year under its esteemed SHARP (Sustainable Health and Agriculture in Rural Puducherry) program. In an attempt to foster a greener and healthier environment, the initiative aims to establish kitchen gardens within these schools. With preparations in full swing, the Svarnim team has wasted no time in identifying suitable spaces within the schools for the implementation of these kitchen gardens. Meticulous work plans are being developed to ensure the smooth execution of this initiative. The team is determined to create an environment that fosters hands-on learning experiences for the students. The next phase of this project is set to commence once the schools reopen after the Pooja vacations. Svarnim Puducherry is committed to implementing the subsequent steps in the process with utmost dedication and efficiency. With the inclusion of these five new schools, the SHARP initiative is expected to have an even greater impact on the community, nurturing young minds and cultivating a brighter future for Puducherry.

In order to introduce the kitchen garden program at five recently established schools, student groups consisting of 16 students each from class 6 were formed. These groups were provided with 10 different varieties of seeds and four types of plants to work with. The students received training on land preparation, as well as detailed explanations of the process of seed-sowing, planting, and more. Each student was assigned one plant to monitor, starting from the date of sowing all the way through seed germination, plant growth, and finally, the harvest. The students were very excited about the program and took great care in tending to their plants. They were especially proud when they saw their plants start to grow. These practical sessions helped students to learn a lot about gardening and the importance of eating healthy foods.

The Svarnim health team organized informative talks, participatory role play and puppet shows, and group discussions on Nutrition and Hygiene. Twenty students from different schools participated in this workshop. These programs undoubtedly helped the kids to learn about the importance of eating healthy foods and practicing good hygiene habits.

In December 2022, Svarnim reached out to communities in the neighborhoods of different schools. The health team identified the health needs of the community members through interactions. The team also sought out the help of the members of local SHG groups and Anganwadi teachers. Based on the identified needs, four community awareness sessions were conducted during the month of December. Three sessions on Cancer awareness, especially breast and cervical cancer, and one session on Mental Health were carried out. Svarnim collaborated with the East Coast Institute of Medical Science, Moolakulam to conduct these Sessions. Resource persons from the Institute Mrs. Kavitha, Vice Principal, Mrs. Vallatharasi, Assistant Professor, Mrs. Badma Priya, Assistant Professor, Mrs. D. Josphin Martina, Assistant Professor and Mrs. N. Revathi, Assistant Professor, joined the sessions. Along with Svarnim's health team, these experts demonstrated to local women how self-examination techniques can be carried out to identify the initial stages of Cancer. The different stages of breast and cervical cancers were also explained along with the various types of treatments. A total of 83 women, from Muthialpet, Keezhparikalpet and Kalmandapam, ranging from 18 to 70 years of age, participated in the Cancer Awareness programs.

Svarnim conducted a mental health awareness session for the local community in Ganapathichettikulam. Dr. Jaychandran and Dr. Vinothkumar led the session. The program was well-attended by 17 community members, including women and men. There were discussions about psychological issues and how to tackle depression. Staff Nurse of Ganapathichettikulam PHC, Mrs. Thirupama also spoke about the importance of such awareness sessions in spreading awareness about mental health issues.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was conducted in 8 villages around Bahour commune and 2 urban villages to assess their basic needs and current status. The primary focus was on creating social maps, resource maps, seasonal maps, timelines, migration patterns, and health maps. Locations Covered: 1. Mathikrishnapuram 2. Keezhparikalpet 3. Kuruvinatham 4. Seliyamedu 5. Lawspet (Maduvapet) 6. Kalmandabam 7. Embalam 8. Andiarpalayam 9. T.N. Palayam 10. Mudaliarpet Methodology: The team members engaged with the community members, including the community leaders, village presidents, elderly people, youth, and women, in each of the 10 villages. The PRA exercises were conducted to gather information about various aspects of village life. Findings - Rural Areas: 1. Water Usage: Most of the people in the rural villages used municipal water and displayed water conservation practices. 2. Awareness: Some residents had awareness about water usage and conservation. 3. Marriage: About 50% of marriages were arranged, while the other 50% were love marriages. 4. Diet: Many villagers regularly consumed fast food. 5. Mosquito Infestation: Villages reported a high number of mosquitoes due to garbage dumping. 6. Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Many villagers said they started Alcohol consumption at a young age, around 17 years. Drug consumption was also prevalent among adults. 7. Youth Activities: Young girls were found to spend significant time on Television and mobile games, while school children played mobile games for 3 to 5 hours per day. Few engaged in physical games. Health and Behavioral Issues in Rural Areas: 1. Health Issues: Common health issues among girls included PCOD (35%) and Thyroid (35%). TB affected 20% of the population, and depression contributed to 2-3% of cancer cases. 2. Eye Problems: Cataract affected 45% of the population, and around 45% of elderly people had undergone eye operations. Findings - Urban Areas: 1. Mosquito Infestation: Urban areas also faced issues with a high number of mosquitoes, leading to regular cleaning of garbage bins and houses. 2. Alcohol Consumption: Boys in urban villages started drinking at the age of 20. 3. Education: Both boys and girls in urban villages received education up to the degree level. 4. Water Filter Usage: Many urban households used water filters at home. Conclusion: The Participatory Rural Appraisal provided valuable insights into the basic needs and challenges faced by the communities in the targeted villages. The findings will be used to design appropriate interventions and initiatives to address the issues related to water usage, sanitation, health, and youth activities, with a focus on sustainable development and improvement of the overall living conditions in these areas.

Under the direction of Svarnim Puducherry, the SHARP team organized a one-day food festival at GMS-Manapet with a focus on "food for fitness." A total of one hundred children from all grade levels took part in the food festival. The team picked the top 11 competitors from the food festival, awarded them with prizes, and also offered a gift to each participant as a token of gratitude for their commitment.