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Savitri Waney Charitable Trust has joined together with CCDT to support two
of their projects; Sarvajanik Aryogya Mohim (SAM) (which means altogether health movement) and Help A Mother Save A Baby (HAMSAB).
Both of these projects are based in Dahisar in Mumbai which is mainly slum area.
Slum Living
Mumbai slums are the largest in Asia, home to 7 million people
(60% of Mumbai’s population). Living conditions are abysmal; slum dwellers have to cope with issues such as constant migrations,
lack of water, no sewage or solid waste facilities, no electricity, poor healthcare facilities, lack of public transport,
pollution and a shortage of adequate housing.
The slum areas in Mumbai have grown at an incredible rate due to mass migration of
people from the rural areas in hope of attaining a higher standard of living. The government perceives these sites as illegal
and therefore does not have to provide adequate services to these settlements. New migrants to the slums are recognised as the
most vulnerable group as they feel alone, disorientated, distressed and apprehensive about their future.
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Dahisar Slum in Northern Mumbai.
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Project SAM
The aim of this project is to implement family welfare
services emphasising reproductive and child health by focusing on empowerment and a rights based approach.
The project has established a Health Centre that reaches out to 72,000
people which offers the following services:
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Mother and child health facilities
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Immunization services
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Ante natal care
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Family planning services
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Treatment of communicable diseases
In addition to the health post, 20 health workers from the local community are
trained in health education, hygiene and awareness. They go from door-to-door talking with occupants to increase health awareness
and offer basic healthcare to those in need. Health awareness talks are held in the community that cover such topics as oral rehydration
therapy, importance of nutrition during pregnancy, environmental sanitation, polio immunization, TB and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Project HAMSAB
Help a mother save a baby targets ‘high risk’ pregnant mothers
within Dahisar West slum area. This project is supported by individual donors from the west to support them through pregnancy and
until the child is two years old.
The project provides education, awareness and counselling to
all members of the family. Various aspects of the project include:
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A meal every 3 days is provided to the mothers alone to ensure they receive the required nutrition levels.
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Health workers go door-to-door to carry out health checks.
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Register the mother with the local hospital so that they can receive scans and delivery the baby in safe conditions.
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Family planning services, and encouragement for family spacing methods are promoted to the couple.
HAMSAB mothers enjoying a nutritious lunch meal
If you would like to support a mother through these critical stages of pregnancy
and child birth, please contact Rebecca on 020 7838 0445 for more
information.
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