SEVAI,a Comprehensive development NGO

Refreshers training program for Link Workers on HIV/AIDS in SEVAI Trichy

Panel discussions on Link Workers Scheme in SEVAI Trichirapalli

The Refresher Training for Link Workers in Trichirapalli District had been designed based on the need of Link workers to learn more about Strengthening the Service Delivery System, clarify the Roles of RRC and Volunteers, Epidemic on HIV/AIDS and STI, Updation of Positive Network and also make them to work as a team for the effective implementation of the program.  Another main objective of the training progam was to enlighten the LWs on the latest and additional information on HIV/AIDS and especially about the immune system. The Refresher Training for LWS-Trichirappalli has been conducted at Vizhuthugal Training centre, Allur of Tiruchirappalli District during 22nd and 23rd August, 2013.  The Refresher Training session was inaugurated by Dr. K. Govindaraju, Director of SEVAI with his inaugural address. DRP-P, DRP-T, Four supervisors and 40 Link workers participated in this refreshers training actively. In the Inaugural session Dr. K. Govindaraju, Director of SEVAI mentioned, “Link Worker Scheme was launched to saturate the reach of the HIV related services to the high risk groups based in the rural areas with aims to address the complex needs of the rural HIV prevention, care and support requirements”.The Key Resource person Mr. R. Senthilkumar - DPM (DAPCU), Trichirapalli gave a power point presentation on the salient features of HIV/AIDS and importance of Link workers in combating the HIV elaborating the Sequence of events, Transmission of HIV in India, Pattern of Transmission, classification of HIV, Management of STI in

Participatory training of Link Workers in SEVAI

HIV transmission, Prevention of parent to Child transmission and Primary prevention of HIV in childbearing women. The DPM-DAPCU presented the detailed input to Provide HIV information to all pregnant women and conduct HIV testing with informed consent, Antenatal visits are opportunity for PPTCT,Prevention of unwanted pregnancy in HIV-positive women, Prevention of PTCT through ART (to mother and baby) and safe obstetric practices and Counseling for infant feeding & therapeutic intervention.Mr. Selvakumar – DS(DAPCU), conducted a participatory session and brought out the key interventions of Link Workers and further enlightened the need for strengthening the capacity of LWS Functionaries reaching the HRGs and Vulnerable groups those are still hidden and invisible and emphasized to adopt appropriate s need based methodology such as field exposure,  Group works, discussions, Power Point Presentations, flash charts demos, and administering thought provoking games etc.District Supervisor made it clear that there will not be any confusion and duplication on  role clarity. The team building concept was demonstrated by DS to review the impact in the field.

There were detailed and simplified description of blood, immune system and especially the T4, CD4 and functions how the HIV virus invade into the immune system is affected were explained by the other Resource persons. The resource persons also made it clear the characteristic information about STI, Advocacy, Micro planning, Volunteers promotion, involvement of RRC/PRIs/PLFs, Positive Network. Strategic approach on Communication has been detailed by Resource Persons.Pre- and Post tests were conducted and it was found that at the end of two days refreshers training imparted, was extremely well-designed for the advanced implementation of LWS in Trichirappalli.Govin

French Medical OFI-student volunteers taught the importance of Hand washing in SEVAI Shanthi Higher Secondary School.

School students learn hand wash process in SSMHSS-OFI Volunteers

Four OFI Health Volunteers from France understood School Health program in SEVAI Shanthi Higher Secondary School. They trained 400 students in proper Hand washing as Hand washing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting, and respiratory disease. OFI Health Volunteers oriented the students and teachers the importance of Hand washing through charts and one to one and one to group methods. The recommended method is the use of liquid soap, water, and towels. They taught the students, “Hand washing prevents communicable illness.Hand-washing is key to disease prevention, Kids don't always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it's a message worth repeating — hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick. Germs can be transmitted many ways, including: touching dirty hands, changing dirty diapers, through contaminated water and food, through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze, via contaminated surfaces, through contact with a sick person's body fluids. When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're infected, it's usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchitis most types of infectious diarrhea. Always wash hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food, and after handling animals. Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings. Washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing will help reduce the risk from viruses. As young children are particularly at risk of catching and spreading gastro-intestinal and respiratory infection so the Agency has developed a resource pack to teach hand washing in schools, A scheduled hand-washing program will reduce acute communicable (gastrointestinal) illnesses in elementary school-age children”.Govin

Refreshers training program for Link Workers in Trichirappalli District.

Link Workers trained by Mr.Senthilkumar,DPM, DAPCU,Trichy

Refreshers Training Program for 40 Link Workers of Link Workers Scheme for the prevention of HIV/AIDS implemented by SEVAI in Trichirappalli District with financial and handholding support of VHS, NACO and TANSAC has been conducted for two days on 22 and 23^rd of August 2013.In the inaugural session, K.Govindaraju, Director of SEVAI mentioned,“ Link Worker Scheme was launched to saturate the reach of the HIV related services to the high risk groups based in the rural areas. The LWS aims to address the complex needs of the rural HIV prevention, care and support requirements through:  Identifying and training, the 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 the HRG and vulnerable populations to the public health services for STI, ICTC, ART and then their follow up back to communities (saturation of coverage to HRGs) by Generating volunteerism among the community for fighting HIV & AIDS and inculcating health values is another cornerstone of this strategy. Addressing issues regarding counseling, condoms and behaviour change among youth and addressing the issues of stigma and discrimination.Mr.Senthilkumar, District Manager, DAPCU delivered the key note address. The District Manager of DAPCU mentioned that

Power point presentation by DRP P ,Amala

proper STI management can reduce the HIV prevalence significantly and he further enlightened the Link Workers, “STIs are infections caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. The predominant mode of transmission of both STD and HIV is through sexual route.  So prevention measures are the same.STIs – increase transmission of HIV; Genital ulcer- increase HIV transmission by 2 to 9 fold, Genital discharge - 2 to 5 fold, Management of STDs may reduce HIV transmission,STI clinical services are important access point for persons at high risk not only for diagnosis and treatment but also for counseling for HIV testing and infection”. Mr.Senthilkumar added, “Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission is another important area of intervention for reducing HIV Prevalence.Primary prevention of HIV in childbearing women, Provide HIV information to ALL pregnant women and conduct HIV testing with informed consent, Antenatal visits are opportunity for PPTCT,Prevention of unwanted pregnancy in HIV-positive women, Prevention of PTCT through ART (to mother and baby) and safe obstetric practices and Counseling for infant feeding and  therapeutic intervention are vital areas to be attended to”. Earlier

District supervisor Selvakumar trains; DRP T introduces 

District Resource Person, Mrs.Amala Rajkumar gave introductory note whereas Mr.P.Subramanian, the Training officer of this project welcomed the participants and resource persons. The refreshers training program continued with the special sessions of District Supervisor, Mr.Selvakumar, Positive Net work president Mrs. Tamil and Counsellor of Srirangam ICTC.M&E officer, Elizabeth Mary, Field officers Ramaraj,Padma,Rathinamary and Aruljothi and Training officer P.Subramanaian and DRP-P,Mrs.AmalaRajkumar conducted the refreshers training as per the LWS Workers need based agenda prepared for this refreshers training. The program was conducted in Villuthuhal training hall of SEVAI in Allur of Trichirappalli District.-Govin

Auvaiyar had undertaken a set of literary works, targeted at children.

Statue of Avaiyar situated in SEVAI School.

‘Auvaiyar had undertaken a set of literary works, targeted at children” mentioned by V.Jawahar Arumugam,a notable Tamil Scholar while speaking to the parents,teachers and students of SEVAI School at Mettumarudur. V.Jawahar Arumugam further enlightened the audience, “The Avvaiyar "respectable women" was the title of more than one poet who was active during different periods of Tamil literature. The Avvaiyar were some of the most famous and important female poets of the Tamil canon. Abithana Chintamani states that there were three female poets titled Avvaiyar. Among them, Avvaiyar I lived during the Sangam period (c. 1st and 2nd century CE) and had cordial relation with the Tamil chieftains Paari and Athiyaman. Avvaiyar II lived during the period of Kambar and Ottakoothar during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the 13th century. She is often imagined as an old and intelligent lady by Tamil people. She wrote many of the poems that remain very popular even now and are inculcated in school textbooks in Tamil Nadu. These books include a list of dos and don'ts, useful for daily life, arranged in simple and short sentences. There is a very famous legend that is associated with Auvaiyar (also Auvayar), a prominent female poets/ethicist/political activist of Sangam period (Tamil literature), and Naaval Pazham in Tamil Nadu. Auvaiyar, believing to have achieved everything that is to be achieved, is said to have been pondering her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under Naaval Pazham tree. But she is met with and was wittily jousted by a disguised Lord Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), who later revealed himself and made her realize that there was still a lot more to be done and learnt. Following this awakening, Auvaiyar is believed to have undertaken a fresh set of literary works, targeted at children. These works, even after a millennium, are often among the very first literature that children are exposed to in Tamil Nadu schools. Annual Avvai Vizha is organized and conducted by Government of Tamil Nadu to commemorate Avvaiyar's contribution to Tamil literature. This festival is celebrated every year in the month of Panguni on Sadhayam star day. Avvai Vizha has been started by local community long time back and still continuing willingly. Now Govt of Tamil Nadu is continuing this function and adding more values. Local community, Tamil scholars and scholars from various fields participating with passion on this occasion and deliver their speech. Avvai Vizha is conducted in the temple Avvayar situated at Thulasiyappattinam village, Vedaranyam, Nagappatinam District, in the temple premises of Arulmigu Visvanathaswamy Thirukovil. Also this place is referred to famous interaction between Lord Muruga & Avvaiyar "Suttapazham Venduma Sudatha Pazham Venduma". This temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Legend has it that once the great king Athiyaman gave an eternal amla Nellikani (gooseberry) fruit to Avvaiyar, this is a special and powerful fruit, whoever eats it will have a healthy and long life. Athiyaman wanted Avvaiyar to eat the eternal fruit as she was the right person who could serve the Tamil community. If she could live forever, so would the Tamil heritage and language. In 2009, Red Hen Press published a selection of Avvaiyar's poetry from the 12th century, entitled Give, Eat, and Live: Poems by Avviyar. The poems were selected and translated into English by Thomas Pruiksma, a poet and translator who discovered Avviyar's work while on a Fulbright scholarship at The American College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India’.Govin

Step-in-interview for the Position of District Resource person (Program), Trichirappalli-District

SEVAI – Society for Education Village Action and Improvement

SEVAI Office, No.133, Allur, Karur Main Road, Tiruchirapalli – 620 101

SEVAI – Society for Education Village Action and Improvement was established and registered under the Tamilnadu Society’s Act 1975 in 1984. SEVAI has been implementing NACO-TANSAC-VHS-Link Worker Scheme in Tiruchirapalli District since Dec 2008.

SEVAI LWS Project requires a District Resource Person (DRP – P) programme for implementation of Link Workers Scheme (LWS) in Tiruchirapalli district. The candidate should have a good understanding of rural life and dynamics, leadership & conflict resolution skill, the gap analysis and strategizing skills. S/He will be the lead person in steering district level activities.

Eligibility Criteria:

Ø  Should possess a Master’s degree in any discipline (preferably in Social Science) from a recognized university.

Ø  Should have a minimum of 3-5 years experience of development work, preferably in programme management.

Ø  HIV positive people, especially positive women, with the required qualifications and experience should be given preference.

Ø  The individual must have sensitivity of working with marginalized groups, including people affected by HIV / AIDS and high-risk groups, hands on experience of working on social mobilization and community based projects and experience of working with varied partners.

Key Skill Areas:

Programme Management: Ability to draw up action plans, work plans for different cadres with prioritization, review programme implementation, provide inputs to programme design tailored to the district situation and provide supervisory inputs to the different cadres of personnel in the scheme.

Linkages : Competence to work with different departments in the government at the district level, civil society partners including positive networks, PRI members and other divisions under NACP-III at the district level.

Reporting: Capability to interpret reports and feed back into programme implementation, share results in an easy to understand manner with Supervisors and Link Workers, compile programme updates and share highlights and challenges.

Fund management: Know – how to work with allocated funds, supervise M&E cum accounts assistant on submission of accounts and budget preparation.

Expected Honorarium for the DRP (Programme):

Rs. 20000/- Per Month

        Interested candidates may step in to the interview, which will be held on 7^th August 2013 at 10.30 am at SEVAI Office, No.133, Allur, Karur Main Road, Tiruchirapalli – 620 101. The resume should be send in advance to trysevai@gmail.com.  For further clarification contact us Ph. +91 8870003598 Web: www.sevai.in

Secretary, SEVAI.