VICTAS Reach & Approach

Victas Foundation perceives the poverty situations which a child experiences as an interplay of various issues and hence works on designing programs which focus on addressing all these issues simultaneously.

Program Overview

Our strategy of program implementation involves both working with Local Partner Organizations and directly as per the situation. The projects implemented in all locations are cantered on location-specific, age-appropriate needs of children. The projects are designed and implemented for a period of 1 to 3 years and are monitored regularly through both qualitative and quantitative measures. The major achievements in the year 2013-14 are as under:

Victas Healthy and Secure Infants

The major intervention in this stage was towards ensuring safe motherhood through organizing awareness programs on institutional delivery and breast feeding. One of the successful awareness campaigns conducted in two of our areas where community participation was overwhelming. In one area, a unique strategy of upgrading the skills of the Traditional Birth Attendants was deployed which resulted in ensuring safe deliveries. Home-based growth monitoring was done through meetings organized on a special day in which village volunteers, Anganwadi workers and ICDS service providers participated.

Victas Foundation’s expertise in managing village volunteers, Anganwadi workers and ICDS service providers was recognized by the government in Odisha. Malnutrition was addressed through large scale awareness campaigns, provision of supplementary food for malnourished children and bridging the gap between the government interventions and children in need. Victas Foundation innovative method in dealing with malnutrition has been through promotion of locally available nutritious food. The PD Hearth and Kitchen Garden programs have been implemented intensively alongside awareness campaigns.

Anganwadi Support

Similar to schools, anganwadi (ICDS centre) services has been supported by appointing an anganwadi support teacher at the anganwadi centre. The primary aim is to operate the pre schooling that has remained defunct. The teacher (female), a local person, assists the Anganwadi teachers in conducting the pre schooling. This initiative is operating in 2 anganwadi centres.61 anganwadi children in 2 anganwadi centres.

Victas Self Confident & Self Sufficient Education Mission

With an objective to bring fundamental change in the way people in the community perceive education, several awareness programs on the importance of education were organized.

School dropouts and retention being a major issue, several Non Formal Education Centres and Bridge Centres are being run for mainstreaming these children to the formal education system. Back to School campaigns were organized in large numbers for identifying drop-outs and bringing them to centres with a special focus on girl children. To spread awareness about the ill-effects of malnutrition, a campaign was designed and implemented. The theme was promotion of local food supplements and bridging the gap between government facilities and beneficiaries. The campaign resulted in improvement in overall health status of children with 52% showing weight gain. Referral services were provided to children with severe malnutrition.

For slow learners, Reading-skill Improvement Program (RIP) was conducted. The younger children demonstrated improved reading & recitation skills and older children who were preparing themselves for board exams were benefitted through mentoring/counselling classes. Victas Foundation also believes that for long-lasting impact, village institutions like schools and Anganwadis also need support for bringing improvement in their quality.

The School Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) assesses schools on various aspects such as quality of infrastructure, classroom processes, teaching learning materials and child-friendly environment.
Following the assessment, a joint plan is developed by the school teachers and the community members to improve overall quality in the schools. The range of activities under this program includes teachers’ training, co-curricular activities for children in school, provision of teaching learning materials including library books etc.

Efforts have also been made towards strengthening children’s forums such as children’s clubs, child parliaments, Balpanchayats etc. Through these forums, children have begun to take a lead in organizing various village development activities like campaigns on the ill-effects of alcohol consumption, hygiene & sanitation improvement programs, anti-tobacco and pulse polio campaigns etc.

Special projects were undertaken for children with special needs. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program implemented in various locations enhanced the awareness level of parents and caregivers. Several children were provided special equipment as well.

Mentoring Students

In Jharkhand, Victas Foundation India organized mentoring centres for class 10 students to help them prepare of their final school exams. Out of 243 students who attended the centres, 226 were successful in their exams. These students were assisted with special coaching and other education support.

Community taking the lead…….

The concept of Grain banks in Assam has come out as an effective establishment addressing the food security issue in some of the hard to reach areas. Altogether 4 Grain Banks were established in the financial year 2013-14 with some minimum support of food grains. All grain banks are now being managed by a well trained grain bank management committee, of which majority of the members are women. Grain banks are most useful for villagers during the lean period of the year. Villagers take grains during emergencies and return with a minimal interest. In this way all 4 grain banks have increased their reservoir to almost double from what they started with. It has become an example of quality community managed grain bank in the area.