Talk of the town

A healthy approach
A group of children ranging from 5 to 15 years live in a government run coed ashram called Shaskiya Madhyamik Ashram Shala, 75 kms away from Pune. Situated in a little village called Kurunji in Bhor Taluka, this ashram hosts 250 children who have made this space their home away from home. They have shelter, food, partial electricity and receive free education, uniforms and books. This ashram was opened to take care and educate the tribal children whose parents are living below poverty line.

Last month Olive Foundation held a medical camp in this ashram to tackle some of the children's health problems. Mumbai based doctors, Dr. Ameet Dhurandhar (vice president, Olive Foundation), along with Dr. Nimish Mahimtura and Dr. Satish Bhatia provided medical aid and dispensed free medicine. "Most children were malnourished, and had a range of skin diseases due to a lack of hygiene. Because of the insufficient water supply, these children have to walk at least two kilometers to reach any source of water. This has resulted in the ashram becoming a breeding ground for disease," says Dr. Ameet Dhurandhar. Olive Foundation has provided each child with iron, multivitamins, de worming, scabies medicine, and medicated soaps. Others medical issues that will be tackled in the future are TB, leukaderma, eye, cardiac ailments and gastroenteritis. Olive Foundation along with the staff of the ashram will attempt to solve the nutritional deficiencies of the children by regularly dispensing iron and multivitamins and the children will also be taught how to make their own protein powders. Lectures will also be held on personal hygiene.

This is the second medical camp held by Olive Foundation on the backwaters of Bhatghar dam since its formation four months ago. Managing Trustee Rajan Desai says, "We as a young NGO have a long way to go in helping the people in this area, but it has been a great start."

Recreational respite
Ishanya organised a laser sound and water work show for mentally challenged adults at Ishanya amphitheatre on July 31. The 45-minute programme produced by Tara W Smith of London and LSE of Belgium was a respite for the youth of the Navkshitij, an organisation that is devoted to the serving the mentally challenged adults.

After the program, Neelima Desai, president, Navkshitij, said that the special audience was truly thrilled with the lights, water fountain and music. “It was simply great. Such entertaining activities are required for this important segment of the society as they create a positive impact on them.”

The show launched by Ishanya, magically transported the audience into another dimension of outer space battles, magical mermaids and evil wizards.