3rd Medical Camp and Current Health Status of the Children of Naidupet

▲ Ravi of SFIRD encouraging the kids to have a positive attitude towards life and people.

In Naidupet, the unsanitary living conditions of Yenadi children pose the risk of respiratory problems and skin issues for residents. Both adults and children work at the landfill, sorting through waste to gather iron, copper, and plastic materials for sale as a means of livelihood.

▲ Dr. Rama Rao chatting with the children at the recent medical camp in Naidupet.

On November 12, 2024, Restoration Humanity (RH) and Society For Integrated Rural Development (SFIRD) along with Dr. Rama Rao, organized the 3rd medical camp for these 14 children at the Primary School.  The camp reeinforced the importance of personal hygiene and doing their laundry regulary. The women were empowered to help the men work through alcohol and drug addictions.

During the visit to the children and women on November 12, SFIRD observed that the majority of children and women were not suffering from skin allergies. Overall, they looked better than they did 3 months ago. Regrettably, four new cases of children with dermatitis were found but we are optimistic that through sustained focus on health and hygiene, as well as the administration of supplements, vitamins, and antibiotics, these children will make a full recovery.

▲ Part of the medical camp's purpose is to bring kids up to speed on how to use the sanitation kits provided to them.

We (RH & SFIRD) supplied health and sanitation kits to the Yenadi women. The kits consisted of toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, coconut oil, and talcum powder. In addition, the women and children received guidance on the regular use of the kits. Each health and sanitation kit will last for a month.

It was never in our wildest imagination that renovating the Primary School would bring about the change of providing mid day-meals, a place to conduct medical camps, and not to mention the ability to have school without the sun beating down on their heads or the classroom getting washed out by a torrential downpour.

All this has been a contributor to the overall living condition of the Yenadi children. These are very minuscule changes, but they are changes that hopefully add up to become monumental ones in the days, months and years to come. 

Here’s hoping that these monthly medical camps will turn into a permanent clinic to address and serve the needs of the Yenadi people.

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. — George Bernard Shaw

The reeducation and renewal of the mind that empowers and encourages the Yenadi that they can break out of the current conditions is they key to bringing about a complete transformation to this precious community.

Especially during this Thanksgiving season, let us also take a few minutes to be grateful for the toothpaste, toothbrush and soap — the simple bare necessities that we might so easily take for granted.

Interestingly Baloo's sage advice grants us this:

If you act like that bee acts – uh-uh

You're working too hard

And don't spend your time lookin' around

For something you want that can't be found

When you find out you can live without it

And go along not thinkin' about it

I'll tell you something true

The bare necessities of life will come to you

Thank you for being a part of this inspiring journey!

If you would like to know more: more.info@rhlife.org

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