10 children get bikes for tackling malnutrition
CHANDIGARH: Children of Janta Colony and Adarsh Nagar in Nayagaon have accomplished what many health professionals failed to do. On the occasion of Children's Day, 10 adolescents, who were successful in improving health of severely malnourished children, were presented with new bicycles.
Under an experiment by NGO Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR), a programme to train children in the 9 to 14 years age group was undertaken. The step was initiated in an effort towards tackling the problem of malnutrition among slum kids.
After four months, out of 181 children who were severely malnourished, 50 had made some improvement in their health while 11 others in the "worst" category had made it to "best" category.
"I was assigned the task of bringing about improvement in health of a 13-month-old and a five-year-old. I talked to their parents, giving them advice on diet, urging them to provide their children meals high on nutrients and low on cost like eggs and soya," 14-year-old activist Sunil Kumar said enthusiastically.
Another activist Manoj Pal added, "Apart from explaining to them what exactly nutritional needs of underweight children were, we asked them to keep a check on hygiene conditions."
W Fredric Shaw, CEO of DIR, said, "Such an accomplishment is a pioneering effort. These star performers devised their own methods of convincing families to change eating habits. The bicycles sure have been a motivating factor in participation and performance."
Mona Kumari, 13, one of those rewarded, said, "We performed street plays and puppet shows, propagating our message for healthy living. For four months, we made regular contribution to a cause. Now that our efforts have borne fruit, I am elated. I would sure love to work with DIR in future too."
Under an experiment by NGO Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR), a programme to train children in the 9 to 14 years age group was undertaken. The step was initiated in an effort towards tackling the problem of malnutrition among slum kids.
After four months, out of 181 children who were severely malnourished, 50 had made some improvement in their health while 11 others in the "worst" category had made it to "best" category.
"I was assigned the task of bringing about improvement in health of a 13-month-old and a five-year-old. I talked to their parents, giving them advice on diet, urging them to provide their children meals high on nutrients and low on cost like eggs and soya," 14-year-old activist Sunil Kumar said enthusiastically.
Another activist Manoj Pal added, "Apart from explaining to them what exactly nutritional needs of underweight children were, we asked them to keep a check on hygiene conditions."
W Fredric Shaw, CEO of DIR, said, "Such an accomplishment is a pioneering effort. These star performers devised their own methods of convincing families to change eating habits. The bicycles sure have been a motivating factor in participation and performance."
Mona Kumari, 13, one of those rewarded, said, "We performed street plays and puppet shows, propagating our message for healthy living. For four months, we made regular contribution to a cause. Now that our efforts have borne fruit, I am elated. I would sure love to work with DIR in future too."
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