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.

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.

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:

• Mother and child health facilities
• Immunization services
• Ante natal care
• Family planning services
• 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.

The project provides education, awareness and counseling to all members of the family. Various aspects of the project include:

• A meal every 3 days is provided to the mothers alone to ensure they receive the required nutrition levels.
• Health workers go door-to-door to carry out health checks.
• Register the mother with the local hospital so that they can receive scans and delivery the baby in safe conditions.
• 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.