Year 2008

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
Paadhai evaluated the possibilities of supporting mental health needs in the Dalit villages wherein it is already actively involved with various other activities. A group of mental health professionals made a site visit and around 50 kids were examined. Most kids evaluated had one or the other mental ailments: cerebral palsy, speech delay, poor academic skills, mental retardation, microcephaly, down’s syndrome and dependency in daily activities. The initial assessments indicated an urgent need for rehabilitation in this community.
Paadhai intends to work on community based rehabilitation (CBR) in these villages. This would entail a two-step process involving - identifying the right NGO with CBR background and implementation of CBR in concert with the NGO in the above community.
 
 
Shencottah Block
With the intention to get involved in Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and knowing its immediate requirements as per its initial assessments in some of the villages, Paadhai is working closely with Amar Seva Sangam (www.amarseva.org), a NGO that is keenly involved in rehabilitative programs. Project Shencottah Block, initiated in April 2008, aims to cover CBR under the following heads:
 
Medical Rehabilitation: This includes home visits and medical camps. In this ongoing program, physically disabled are identified and rehabilitated by trained physiotherapists. Early intervention programs for kids of 0-5 years of age are screened for medical conditions like childhood disorders or any such condition that may need surgery.
 
Awareness Programs: Programs conducted for various groups include school children, beedi workers, self help groups (SHG) and anganwadi workers and general public (through wall posters and advertisements). 28 self help groups have been trained under this program. Each group has its savings account to ensure sustenance. About eight SHG are rated by Block development officers as a part of the monitoring process. 
 
Paadhai is keenly involved in funding and execution of these ongoing programs.