SPW programmes offered Health Education Programme
Length of placement 5 months

India has a population of one billion, around half of whom are adults in the sexually active age group. The spread of HIV in India has been diverse, with much of India having a low rate of infection and the epidemic being most extreme in the southern States. The number of AIDS cases in Tamil Nadu in March 2005 is reported to be 48,180*.

Programme Facts:
School Health Education Programme - Working where?

  • in government schools (around 1500 pupils)
  • rural and semi-urban communities
  • work in groups of 6 volunteers (2 international, 2 national and 2 local)
  • use non-formal education techniques to address important social, health and environmental issues
  • the role is primarily as a catalyst or facilitator, drawing on the expertise and local experience of the partners with whom SPW India collaborates

You and your partner(s) will live and work in the community.
The activities of the volunteers will include:

  • educating and empowering young people, women and weaker, marginalized sections of society
  • improving access to basic health care information
  • creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, (e.g. introducing organic farming and kitchen gardening techniques)
  • encouraging people to take responsibility for their environment and to improve their standard of living
  • working through Women's Sangams (Women's groups)
  • setting up clubs in school where informal learning and self-development can take place
  • awareness raising activities within the wider community

Case Study

In Kilkothur we focused on creative ways of delivering a Health Club Curriculum to the students in the form of Health Classes. We designed a number of creative Health Classes to be delivered to all standards, sometimes with help from Health Club students on Value Education, Nutrition, Diarrhea, Malaria, Elephantiasis, Common Cold, Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment, Adolescent Health (in partnership with CHAD, our local NGO), Toilet and Sanitation Education and HIV/AIDS. We also supplemented the school by setting up a zero waste management unit, kitchen garden and a library. In addition, we conducted a community awareness rally and a programme on HIV/AIDS.
Nikhath Akthar, HEP Volunteer

Programme Structure
Initial 3-week training in Vellore covering:

  • teambuilding skills
  • cross-cultural awareness
  • basic development theory
  • adolescent health issues (e.g. puberty, HIV/AIDS, gender issues)
  • NFE (Non Formal Education) Techniques
  • sustainable development and Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques
  • visit to old placement schools
  • Participatory Rural Appraisal in schools
Placement stage 1 (2 weeks)
  • setting up clubs, meet parents and teachers, work towards composing action plans
Phase 2 training (3 days)
  • includes clubs and teachers
Placement stage 2 (4 months)

Mid-Term Review (bi-monthly)
  • in respective volunteer districts

Staff Support:

  • 1 main office in Vellore
  • staff has a lot of interaction with volunteers
  • placements located about 30-40kms apart, all within reach of office, making communication with other volunteers easy

Community Support:

  • assist in finding safe accommodation and furniture
  • the village leader will welcome you and get his team involved in your activities!

Country Information

Background: India is a sensual overload! Every state has its own language, traditions, religious beliefs and characteristics. Vellore district in the state of Tamil Nadu is home to magnificent temples, beautiful beaches, the cool Nilgiri Hills and Chennai, the fourth largest city in India.

Tamilians view themselves as the most purely Indian state of all. The Tamilians are among the friendliest people in India and once volunteers have adjusted to the bustling nature of Indian streets, you will discover a sense of easy going calm underneath the superficial chaos.

Language: Tamil, the third officially accepted language in Parliament after Hindi and English

Religion: Hindu with small Christian and Muslim populations

Food:

  • Staple - a typical meal in Tamil Nadu consists of rice, lentils, grains and vegetables
  • Meat - available but Hindus do not eat beef
  • Vegetarianism - most people practice vegetarianism. Fest on rice, lentils, grains and vegetables accompanied by chutneys, pickles and papaddams
  • Other - food tends to be spicy and hot! Coconut, tamarind, mustard seeds, red chillies, curry leaves and groundnut oil are common in most dishes

*Indian HIV and AIDS Statistics, www.avert.org.

 
 
   
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