Monday, September 30, 2013

Conjunctive methods of watering trees planted in barren land by SEVAI.


SEVAI: injecting water to trees in barren land-afforestation efforts

SEVAI injects water to the roots of trees in barren lands of Kulitalai Taluk of Karur District to withstand the drought. It applies the conjunctive use of water for trees watering. SEVAI (www.sevaingo.in) a Trichy based NGO devotes considerable time and energy to planting trees even in barren lands as trees are more than a token symbol of environmentalism; they are in fact key components to global ecosystems. SEVAI encourages people of Therkkuvasal of Pappakkapatty Panchayat in Karur District to plant their barren land with various local trees. Community members are enthusiastically responding the reforestation programme. They work very hard to clear stones in the land, plant hardwood trees, build fences with stones to protect trees from livestock.SEVAI does not only encourage people to plant trees but also prepares the local people to make sure that they will be responsible in planting and preserving the trees planted. Trees for the Future is dedicated to planting trees with rural, to restore their environment, grow more food, and build a sustainable future. Trees have always been a key symbol of the environmental movement. Trees act as natural filters of our air. Through the process of photosynthesis trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon in their trunk, branches, leaves, roots, soil and foliage, while releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. A fundamental requirement for all animals is a supply of oxygen. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees and other vegetation supply us with this vital gas. One mature tree produces enough oxygen for 10 people to inhale in a year. The removal of trees from the landscape can have disastrous repercussions in terms of making such areas more prone to landslide. Erosion control most frequently involves the planting of tree, shrub or grass species. The roots of the vegetation bind the soil and prevent erosion. The instance of flash flooding has been shown to be reduced by the presence of forests. Also in areas prone to drought the addition of trees to the landscape can aid in the conservation of precious water resources. Trees slow down water runoff after periods of heavy rainfalls and help to recharge underground water-holding aquifers. -Govin

SEVAI Organised Community Events for Target groups under Target Intervention of HIV/AIDS



Community get together- community event

SEVAI Organized Community Events for target communities under Target Intervention of HIV/AIDS Supported by TANSACS/NACO/DAPCU in Trichirappalli.The community events had been organised with the aims that          Community events would be a great motivation to Target community and as inspiring·        event to create  Behavioural Change,to impart appropriate Life Skill Education,to bring zero new
·        HIV infections,to motivate and increase Referral and Linkages and to eliminate totally the stigma and discrimination

  Around 60 target members of the target community  and PLHIVs of Trichirappalli SEVAI Target area enthusiastically participated in the community event in Allur of Trichirapalli.The thematic Rangoli, the lighter mode of various games and sports,  Quiz programme,singing competitions, etc were conducted on 28th September. The Project Manager welcomed the gathering and the counselors and other functionaries of SEVAI Team facilitated the community events where the target community felt lighter and comfortable in participating such events.SEVAI Team conducted these events in stigma free atmosphere with a lot of positive approach and motivation.SEVAI SHG members and members of staff and Link Workers Scheme functionaries also encouraged the community to participate in good spirits.The counselor of Government Hospital-Trichy,Mr.Godson enlightened the importance  of community events and spoke on the need for behaviour changes.Mrs.Mohana Sundaram,PM of TI,Mrs.Uma,Jona Kalavathi,J,Amala,Vidya,meena,Jayanthi and C.Suda,X.Maria and other members of SHG staff made elaborate arrangements for this community event.
Mr. Godson also further mentioned, “Behaviour change is a cornerstone to HIV prevention. It
Group games as part of community event
refers to a process of individuals adopting and maintaining positive health behaviours. The mandate of Behaviour change is to promote positive health behavior for prevention of HIV infection among different target audiences in the society. Behaviour change among individuals and communities is achieved through a combination of communication approaches and strategies/interventions on STI/HIV prevention. The approaches used by SEVAI are aimed at influencing behaviours of individuals and communities through targeted psychological positioning of information accompanied by activities to encourage social and cultural changes and to promote the adoption and reinforcement of desired behaviours to promote safer practices and communicating correct messages on HIV prevention to their clients”.
Prizes distributed by GH-Counselor to the winners
Mrs.Vanitha,SHG Coordinator of SEVAI  enlightened the community on livelihood promotion as income for the family and she made special mention about the formation and linkage with the bank and the Government of special groups for the community. In his closing remarks, the Project holder of SEVAI, K.Govindaraju mentioned, “Targeted Intervention (TI) is one of the main components of HIV/AIDS intervention. The Program has been implemented as guided by TANSACS to reduce the rate of HIV transmission among the Core Group viz. Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Men having Sex with Men (MSMs) and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) & Bridge populations like migrants and truckers. Increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS helps people to feel empowered to take responsibility of their own sexual health by assessing their own risks and protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS. Targeted programmes are also conducted with specific messages crafted and woven into these customised interventions. The TANSACS promoted target intervention programme largely achieved in SEVAI Target area by creating  awareness and increase their perceived susceptibility of getting infected with the HIV;encouraged them to protect themselves or reduce their risk of getting infected with the HIV by maintaining a safe, single-partner relationship, avoiding casual sex, avoiding sex with multiple partners and sex with sex workers,practising correct and consistent condom use when engaging in risky sexual practices and encouraged those practising unprotected sex to undergo early and regular HIV testing so that infection are detected as early as possible. Mrs.Mohana Sundaram in her introductory note ,"SEVAI informs its target community that there are rights to protect individuals from being infected with HIV. A person who is HIV positive is required to inform his/her sex partner of his status. If he/she is uncertain of his HIV status and has been practicing risky behaviors, he is required to take protective measures to prevent infecting his/her sexual partner. In addition to the direct intervention, the TI Programme also continues to create awareness and educate the general public on the seriousness of HIV/AIDS, the different modes of transmission,behaviours that can put one at risk of HIV infection, such as having casual sex, having multiple sexual partners, having sex with  sex workers, injecting drug use, and receiving blood that is contaminated with HIV,the importance of maintaining a safe, single-partner relationship, the importance of going for early and regular
Thematic Rangoli as part of community event

HIV screening if one thinks that he or she is at risk of HIV infection and reducing the stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS. Mrs.Uma,SEVAI Counselor of the TI Program mentioned that the services provided in this target intervention program are Promotion of condoms, linkages to STI  services and health services with a strong referral and follow-up system, Promotion/distribution of free condoms and other commodities, Linkages to other health services  and integrated counseling and testing centres (ICTC),Provision of safe spaces (drop-in-centres).Uma also mentioned that SEVAI also works towards Creating an Enabling Environment, Advocacy with key stakeholders,Crisis management systems and Legal/rights education and Community Mobilization and SEVAI serves for the community ownership of the TI's goals to serve to protect and prevent HIV/AIDS to the HRGs, FSWs, high risk MSM and IDUs by crating a   space by organizing  community events and Building capacity of FSW, MSM and IDU groups to assume ownership of the programme”. Mrs.Jona Kalavathy thanked the TANSACS and the associated officers/functionaries in Trichirappalli District for their project/technical support for the successful implementation of Target invention project in K.Abisekapuram and Ponmalai divisions of Trichirappalli City Municipal corporation area. Prizes were distributed by Guests of honour for the winners of the events and also the participants of the events as motivational gesture.The participants expressed their gratitude to organisers for organising such an event which made them lighter in heart-Govin

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Life Coping Skills are taught to SEVAI Link Workers and its target beneficiaries


SEVAI Team those received TOT on Life Coping skills.

Life coping skills are very important for maintaining harmony among the students, on-students and also public. SEVAI a Trichy based NGO gives special training to students,youth,young women and public opinion leaders on Life coping skills so that they would train the rest of the members in their localities. The training has been provided as Training of Trainers especially for Link Workers and the team of LWS. This TOT gives focus: Coping strategies refer to the specific efforts, both behavioral and psychological, that people employ to master, tolerate, reduce, or minimize stressful events. Two general coping strategies have been distinguished: problem-solving strategies are efforts to do something active to alleviate stressful circumstances, whereas emotion-focused coping strategies involve efforts to regulate the emotional consequences of stressful or potentially stressful events. Active coping strategies are either behavioral or psychological responses designed to change the nature of the stressor itself or how one thinks about it, whereas avoidant coping strategies lead people into activities or mental states that keep them from directly addressing stressful events. Generally speaking, active coping strategies, whether behavioral or emotional, are thought to be better ways to deal with stressful events, and avoidant coping strategies appear to be a psychological risk factor or marker for adverse responses to stressful life events. Broad distinctions, such as problem-solving versus emotion-focused, or active versus avoidant, have only limited utility for understanding coping, and so research on coping and its measurement has evolved to address a variety of more specific coping strategies. Active Coping (taking action or exerting efforts to remove or circumvent the stressor), Planning (thinking about how to confront the stressor, planning one's active coping efforts), Seeking Instrumental Social Support (seeking assistance, information, or advice about what to do), Seeking Emotional Social Support (getting sympathy or emotional support from someone), Suppression of Competing Activities (suppressing one's attention to other activities in which one might engage in order to concentrate more completely on dealing with the stressor), Religion (increased engagement in religious activities), Positive interpretation and Growth (making the best of the situation by growing from it or viewing it in a more favorable light), Restraint Coping (coping passively by holding back one's coping attempts until they can be of use), Resignation/Acceptance (accepting the fact that the stressful event has occurred and is real), Focus on and Venting of Emotions (an increased awareness of one's emotional distress, and a concomitant tendency to ventilate or discharge those feelings), Denial (an attempt to reject the reality of the stressful event), Mental Disengagement (psychological disengagement from the goal with which the stressor is interfering, through daydreaming, sleep, or self-distraction).Life Coping Skills and Occupational Development provide people instruction and workshop opportunities that focus on specific practical skill development as well as community and individual enhancement.. When stress occurs in life we try to “fix it” or at least manage it using the tools in our toolboxes. Individuals with toolboxes full of positive coping skills are better equipped to handle stressful life experiences in a positive way. Positive coping skills can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and foster peace and emotional stability during stressful life events to respond and maintain Self Esteem, Acceptance, Personality Development, Positive Thinking, Motivation and Self Actualization, Goal Setting, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Time Management, Stress Management & Coping with Depression, Coping with Shyness, Coping with, Coping with Fear, Coping with ,Coping with Criticism and Coping with Conflict.-Govin

SEVAI School students perform Exemplary Bharathanatiyam


SEVAI Shanthi Matric. Higher Secondary School perform Bharathanatiyam

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School situated in Pettavaithalai in Trichirapalli District promotes Bharata Natyam, a classical Dance form that is popular and nurtured in Tamilnadu as one of the school cultural teams events. The Bharthanatiyam instructor enlightens the students and taught of SEVAI School, “Bharatanatyam is a reworked dance-form from the traditional "sadir" known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculptures poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced Rukmani Devi Arundale was also instrumental in modifying Bharatnatyam and bringing it to the attention of the West. E .Krishna Iyer said about Rukmini Devi, “There is no need to say that before she entered the field, the art was dead and gone or that it saw a renaissance only when she started to dance or that she created anything new that was not there before”. The dance, at that time, was exclusively performed by women It is worth noticing that most of the contemporary Bharatnatyam dancers do not satisfy the criteria for a professional danseuses stated in the scriptures. At present, Bharatnatyam recitals are usually not performed inside the temple shrine but outside it, and even outside the temple compounds at various festivals. Most contemporary performances are given on the stage with a live ensemble. In popular culture, the adapted, or "semi-classical", Bharatnatyam has been exposed largely. A professional Bharatanatyam dancer must demonstrate a number of qualities, the true dance is connected to the beauty of the body, and therefore any other dance is simply a parody. A professional danseuse must possess the youthful, slender, beautiful, with large eyes, self-confident, witty, pleasing, well aware of when to dance and when to stop, able to follow the flow of songs and music, and to dance to the time (thalam), with splendid costumes, and of a happy disposition. As Natya Shastra states the qualities required of a female dancer narthaki, "Women who have beautiful limbs, are clever, courteous in behaviour, always bold, free from indolence, inured to hard work, skilled in dancing and songs, who excel by their beauty, youthfulness, brilliance and other qualities all other women standing by, are known as dancer of Bharathanatiyam” The six students of SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School of the Bharathanatiyam team performs exemplarity performances on School Anniversary and days of important occasions -Govin

Friday, September 27, 2013

SEVAI-LWS-HIV-AIDS Prevention Team assures reaching the given target


The review meeting for Link workers Scheme implemented by SEVAI(www.sevaingo.in) was
LWS Data review by PD TANSACS
conducted by the Founder Director SEVAI,Dr.K.Govindaraju.The DRP-P; Mrs.A.Amala presented the salient features of Link Worker Scheme being implemented in SEVAI by SEVAI with the support of VHS,the lead agency and TANSACS/NACO. Mrs.A.Amala pointed out that the supervisors and Link workers of LWS are the pillars of the program. She also appreciated the fullest involvement of P.Subramanian, DRP-Training and Mrs.R.Elizabeth Mary for their fullest support for the success of the program. Ramaraj, one of the supervisors mentioned that the support extended by RRC members, volunteers of the program and also PRI members; SHG members are very constructive for implementing LWS in Trichirapalli District. The other supervisors Padma, Rathinamary and Revathy also mentioned that the supports extended by Government Hospitals ICTC Centres, counselors and Lab technicians and DAPCU, VHS are very encouraging for the implementation of the LWS program. The SEVAI/VHS approved  LWS Team members assured that they would reach out to HRGs and vulnerable men and women in rural areas with information, knowledge, skills on STI/HIV prevention and risk reduction which entitles Increasing the availability and use of condoms among HRGs and other vulnerable men and women; Establishing referral and follow-up linkages for various services including treatment for STIs, testing and treatment for TB, ICTC/PPTCT services, HIV care and support services including ART, Creating an enabling environment for PLHIVs and their families, reducing stigma and discrimination against them through interactions with existing community structures/ groups, e.g. Village Health Committees (VHC) , Self Help Groups (SHG) and Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRI).SEVAI Director, Dr.K.Govindaraju mentioned that the functionaries of Link worker are to conceive for building the capacity of the rural community in fighting with HIV, identifying and training, village level workforce of Supervisors, Link Workers and volunteers on issues of HIV/AIDS, gender, sexuality, STIs and above all on mobilizing difficult-to-reach, especially vulnerable sub populations including high risk individuals, youth and women. Linking these marginalized sub populations to the public health services for STI, ICTC, ART and then their follow up back to communities is one of the key areas that is expected to be addressed by theses Link Workers, generating volunteerism among the community for fighting HIV/AIDS and inculcating health values is another cornerstone of this strategy and  to ensure that the total mapped High Risk Individuals are to be reached by link workers, village wise with information relevant to HIV prevention and risk reduction, the total mapped vulnerable young people reached by link workers, village wise with information relevant to HIV prevention and risk reduction, the total identified people from high risk groups are referred by link worker/volunteers to HIV related services .the total HRG should receive HIV testing in the last 12 months and know their results  and these  HRG receive treatment for STIs and the entire  PLHIVs identified receive services from SEVAI,the entire identified vulnerable population are to be referred for ICTC testing and SNA vulnerable population should received HIV testing in the last 12 months and know their results and the vulnerable population receive treatment for STIs (Symptomatic cases).The Action plan for the last week of September was presented by DRP-P with the consultation of her team.-Govin


SEVAI School Special Children visited Thanjavur Big Temple


SEVAI School special children visited Thanjai Periyakoil

SEVAI Special educators’ team under IED Project had gone to Thanjavur with 42 special children on a field trip to the Thanjavur Big Temple to teach them how to find a monument, look at it. Divakumar, then coordinator of SEVAI of IEC Project reported “The teachers and children seemed very interested in the temple architecture.Thanjavur, a calm town tucked away in the interiors of Tamil Nadu now, once was capital to a sprawling Empire that extended from the fertile plains of Kaveri river to Mekong Valley. The Cholans who ruled the major part of Southern India for almost 1500 years, built this massive temple - Brahadeeswara Temple or Big Temple.The perfect symmetry of the structure, the elaborate arrangement of impeccably sculpted stone figures adorning the outside walls and the visual symphony of the large stones meticulously placed one atop another with amazing mechanical precision - is breathtaking. Cholan Temple architecture's hallmark is the Vimana Tower surrounded by a richly ornamented Gopuram gateway constructed out of granite stones. The main temple at the time of completion in the year 1010 consisted of a Sanctum Sanctorum tower known as Sri Vimana, a big rectangular mandapa with an intervening vestibule known as Mukha Mandapa. The Sri Vimana has a large granite stone structure as the basement to lend structural stability for the massive towers upon it. The temple tower - Vimana is one of the tallest towers of a temple and has a monolithic octagonal stone cupola weighing 82 tons. There is a stone bull (Nandi) looking at the main deity - Shiva - inscrutable and eternal. Raja Raja Cholan constructed this before 1000 years with out any technical instruments. i am say this is 8th world miracle. The Kumbam (structure on the top) of the temple is carved out of a single stone and it weighs around 80 tons in this kumbam shadow never falls in ground The Lingam measures 9 ft in height, 23.5 ft in circumference. The Lingam was brought from the shores of Narmadha River. This Lingam is also called as "Raja Rajeswara Mudaiyan" because of its bright appearance.
Nandhi: The Nandi ,the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, is a monolith measuring 12 feet in height, 19.5 feet in length and 18.25 feet in width, it weighs about 25 tons. This is the second biggest Nandhi in India. On the ceiling of the Nandi Mantapam, are colorful frescos that are over 1000 years old and still maintain their magnificence.. The Brahadeeswara Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, completed in 1010 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple entrance has an imposing gateway on the east, on either sides of which stand two small shrines dedicated to Ganapathi and Murugan and further through there is another Gopuram 90 feet high. This way leads into an outer court.A second and magnificent Gopuram further leads into the main court in which the temple is built. The inner court is about 500 feet long and 250 feet broad, is well paved with brick and stone. The court is surrounded on all sides by a cloister. The temple basement is covered with inscriptions that give details of the temple’s administration and revenue, and provide valuable historical information on Chola society and government”. Govin

‘Baby goats are nice and gentle’- goat farm care takers trained in SEVAI.





An adolescent holds lovely baby goat
‘Baby goats are nice and gentle’ said by P.Vanitha of SEVAI while training goat rearing women in SEVAI goat farm centre in Sirugamani.She further added, “Tamilnadu Government provides free goats to poor women and the goats and baby goats are to be taken care with full attention for better income. A goat that is less than 6 months old is called a kid.  Baby goats are called kids, Mother Goats are nannies. Fathers are called billy goats. Baby goats are nice and gentle. Goats are herbivorous mammals of the genus Capra, which means goat in Latin. Baby goats, or kids, require extra care and keeping just like any baby, and their owner should provide it if they wish to have a healthy, productive herd. These young goats will need colostrum, milk, water, hay, grain, health care, shelter, vaccinations, hoof trimming and tattooing. Following aschedule is important when owners are providing these needs. An adult female goat is called a doe or nannyfeed the baby goat fresh milk regularly. The best milk would be from his mother or any other goat, although you can also feed it milk from any cow. However, per gallon of cow milk, remember to add three spoons of corn syrup. The first time, it may not want to drink it, but after a while it should. We need to feed the baby goat regularly and in small amounts because babies are born with small stomachs, the feeding can be for baby four times a day. They might not drink it in the first time if it wasn't goat milk because cow's milk and other milks are different from goat milk a bit.SEVAI Provides a warm and dry shelter/environment. The place is in a warm area away, preventing the sun heat, rain, and wind cold. The shelter put up by SEVAI has a good roof. Keeping baby goat in a wet, cold place will make it get sick. It's very important to trim the baby's hooves. Trimming your baby is very easy, just be very careful not to hurt it. We need to make the goat kids friendly. To do this, first we should know where to touch them. It might take from 1 to 2 months to make your baby goat love you, because the baby is an animal and we are human and be patient with the baby goat. -Govin
Goat rearing in Sirugamani,SEVAI.