Youth Education through Arts & Sports
Youth Education through Arts & Sports
mamta-himc
bridge to health & beyond
published by
MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child B-5, Greater Kailash Enclave-II, New Delhi 110048, India www.mamta-himc.org Š 2018. MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child Designed by Misha Oberoi This document may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission of the MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child provided full source citation is given and the reproduction is not for commercial purposes.
contents
Message Mr Sanjay Khajuria / 4 Message Dr Sunil Mehra / 5 Message Dr Shantanu Sharma / 7 Introduction / 9 Youth Education through Arts and Sports / 11 Poem Dr Shantanu Sharma / 13
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THEMES
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APPROACHES
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OUTCOMES Poem / 62 & 63
me s s a g e from the supporter
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am happy to know that MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child is bringing out an illustrated book on Project Jagriti. The book highlights the youth education approach on health and nutrition adopted by the team under the Project. Education and awareness are key factors to the active participation of youth in the processes towards social, economic and political development of the nation. We must pay a lot of attention to enhancing participation of young, particularly marginalized youth to ensure that they acquire the knowledge, and skills required to act as agents of development and social inclusion. Youth are integral to the Project’s strategy of sustained behavior change and momentum to reach wider geographies. The intergenerational impact of interventions during adolescence potentiates this phase of life cycle largely from a public health point of view. The National Health Policy stresses for investing in this segment of the population in transforming it into a strong, productive, healthy and skilled workforce. In order to empower the youth of our country, a holistic framework for engagement with stakeholders that has an influence on their attitude and behavior needs to be developed. I appreciate the efforts of Project Jagriti team in their strategy to engage with this population in an inclusive and participative way. Their approach of involving
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arts and sports as a means to enhance the participation of youth in health promotion is innovative and unique in its own way. I call upon the various stakeholders contributing actively to the development of marginalized people to involve youth in their engagement framework and work towards building their skills and capacities. I am sure the learnings on implementation strategies and the success stories from the book shall inspire us towards conceptualizing behavioral innovations. I sincerely wish the team the very best in their commendable efforts and hope that they continue to work for this noble cause.
Sanjay KHAJURIA
Senior Vice President (Corporate Affairs) NestlĂŠ India
me s s a g e from the Executive Director
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oday, twenty-eight percent of India’s population is youth aged between 15 and 24 years. This energetic and dynamic population represent the future in the socioeconomic and political realms and its experiences will determine the extent to which the nation will harness its demographic dividend. This critical age group is also prone to many socioeconomic vulnerabilities that affects the larger section of this segment. In this phase of transition to adulthood, not only are they exposed to challenges of physiological changes but also the identity crisis among peers and communities. They are exposed to the risks related to sexual and reproductive health & rights (SRHR), nutrition, mental health, violence and injuries. The National Youth Policy 2014 illustrates the framework for engagement with youth in the most participatory approach for improvement in their health and skill development. The policy emphasizes investing in youth empowerment ensuring that youth are streamlined into priority action across all sectors and policy areas. Similarly, National Health Policy 2017 very clearly emphasizes the needs of adolescent and youth as central to the life course approach of RMNCH+A. The National Adolescent Health Programme (RKSK) – the most comprehensive
programme on adolescent and youth globally is now being rolled out across the country. Project Jagriti is one among many other such initiatives by MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA) to engage and empower youth through social and behaviour change communication (SBCC), while strengthening health systems response. Project Jagriti envisages the improvement in access to health and nutrition services by the youth through community based interventions. Several domains of their health including Sexual and Reproductive Health, Nutrition, Physical Developments during Puberty, Life Skills and others have been included in the comprehensive SBCC package. It is also ensured that the interventions reach the last mile and the project adapts evidence-based practices to accomplish the targets. Working on these lines an innovative and exciting strategy called Education through arts and sports was devised and implemented. Education through arts and sports is a proven strategy to meaningfully engage youth in different areas of their
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interest and within their peer group and at the same time drive home the health messages targeted to the youth and ensuring its percolation into their peers and communities. I appreciate the efforts put in by the team of Project Jagriti on this scale towards ensuring the outcomes and achieving the goals. They deserve all the applause for coming up with such fine piece of the document which eloquently outlines the strategy and process while keeping the community at the fore-front by highlighting their needs, activities, and achievements in their perspective and voice. I wish all the best to the team for their efforts towards bringing out this illustrated document for the different level of partners and stakeholders.
Dr. Sunil Mehra
Executive Director MAMTA HIMC
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me s s a g e from project technical director
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n a country where every third person is youth, any change is possible only with his or her involvement. This dynamic transformation into a demographic dividend blesses the country with the younger population taking control of our growing economy. The need of the hour is to help and support the youth in their growth and development and create an endless potential of learnings and skills. We need to provide them with the access to opportunities, right knowledge, skills and space for expression. Project Jagriti, launched in 2016, is one of the most widespread initiatives of MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA). It is spread across 15 districts of India and has a significant grassroots level impact. The project invests substantial resources in building a knowledgeable and skilled youth, the future of our nation. The present endeavor aims to empower girls and boys from the marginalized section of societies using the most cost-effective and sought after interventions in the participative and peer-friendly environment. Our young peer leaders have actively lent their helping hands in bringing the change and have also taken the onus of sustaining the change. They have been able to motivate and inspire thousands, including their parents, community leaders, to join hands in the community development process.
This illustrated book is an acknowledgment of the contribution and dedication of the Project Jagriti staff and how they motivated many more to join the health education campaign in the true spirit of “people’s movement’. The unique approach of engaging youth through arts and sports has channelized widespread dissemination of health information beyond the boundaries of a community. I am proud to be a part of this great initiative towards building ‘a healthy India- Swastha Bharat.
Dr. Shantanu Sharma
Assistant Director (Technical & International Relations) MAMTA HIMC
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introduction MAMTA (an NGO) and Jagriti (the name of the Project) has been conceptualized as two sisters who drive the campaign of awakening about health, nutrition and sanitation across 15 districts of India among diverse set of populations. The two sisters (the women face) are the face, voice and strength of our communities for whom the Project Jagriti is all about. Let us listen to them!
Hello! Mamta How are you? Today’I am going to take you through the journey of our “Project JAGRITI”. I am so excited to see how my friends and young people are so passionate about their work. They love to play sports like cricket, Kabbadi, Ludo and even running. Their interest in drawing paintings, writing poems and play dramas is amazing. I have interacted with and counselled them on various health, nutrition & sanitation issues. I spread health messages and information through games and hobbies. I have been to fifteen different districts in eight states of India. My love for them and their affection for me and my work thrills me every moment.
Wow! JAGRITI. You have done an excellent job. You have been to nearly a thousand villages and interacted with over three million people. Your health messages, actions in such an interesting manner are truly engaging and worth appreciating. I am happy to see your passion for change in society. I genuinely love this great initiative of yours and hope it results in fruitful outcomes. “Ek Pahal Badlaw ki Ore”
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Youth Education through Arts and Sports
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hat seems impossible to do with the energetic, adventurous and exploring youth is to teach them something that is good for them. Funny yet exciting and worth endowing is how best can we approach them to listen to us and understand the concerns about their health and wellness! You think of conventional classroom sessions, gamified edutainment discussions, a mobile application based information sharing, all have something missing in their core strength and that is the natural fun and games. How far can you force them to dive into harmful screens of mobiles, or fry them through boring Socratic lectures, or be commanded under instructive puzzles or ladder games? Do we really need to push like this or simply nudging to obtain the desired change in behavior? Youth is somewhat different and a mystery for behavioral scientists. It’s best to give someone something in the way he or she loves to accept it. A plate full of salads is a waste for pizza lovers, a glass of milk for the soda admirers, like an enlighted discussion for a misologist. No “one size fits all” ideology is applicable every time and everywhere. Sports have always been a keen area for everyone, specifically young boys, and men. When you comprehend sports with the health messages that spark awareness, there can’t be a better blend of needs and desires than this. Sports not only boosts your physical strength but also reform social and mental health. Physical education via sports is paramount to a sound body channelizing positive energy into more holistic development.
Beyond physique, what else do sports have to offer? Yeah much more than we actually realize, unknowingly sports help us learn life skills, such as decision-making, critical thinking, negotiation and communication skills. The education is not the prerogative of schools and books, instead an agency of synergizing wandering minds into constructive outcomes. And if sports can be its one arm, the means to achieve educated and healthy youth becomes even easier. The beautiful images, drawings, paintings, and crafts are attractive and can capture one’s attention instantly. Not just the visual images but also the beautiful lines, poems, stories, and dramas are ways to engage someone meaningfully. Arts is a way of translating expressions through visual images of their sensations, feelings & attitudes. Young people in their teens of exploring fun, fame, and friendship, are often lured into drugs, dangers, and destructions. Making communication even simpler, engaging, easy to understand with a wide scope of imagination, is all about how art integrated learning creates magic. The two approaches together have a synergistic effect of creating a spirit of behaviour change among youth in the most engaging and useful approach. Their passion for change and charisma of a beautified personality needs a platform to shape these thoughts into reality, and MAMTA is committed to transforming their lives and skills into actions. Let’s catch these young minds in their nascence and build into a skilled human with their dreams and desires reaching the sky. 11
Let the torch of awareness mission be Enlighted, And we walk towards the dream for a healthy population, With people across generations, be banded, To achieve our goal of a prosperous Nation, Our youth is empowered and no more stranded, And we add feathers to their visible imaginations, Unmindful of consequences in their actions beaded, We bring consciousness through knowledge salvation, Our ways are different for the change needed, Arts and sports are our unique means of education, Unstoppable, unbeatable, together we stand united, Jagriti is our faith, our pledge and our passion! —Shantanu Sharma
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1 Nutrition / 17 2 Anemia / 19 3 Sanitation & Hygiene / 21 4 Physical Education / 23 5 Life Skills / 25 6 HIV/AIDS / 27 7 Child Marriage / 29 8 Environment / 31 9 Menstrual Hygiene / 33 10. Substance Abuse / 35 14
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utrition Healthy eating during adolescence is very important for increased nutritional and dietary needs.
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nemia I can’t remember how it feels to not be tired! Its high time that I should get my anemia levels be tested.
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anitation & hygiene Let’s fight to make India a safe and hygenic place to live in! We as youth pledge to accomplish this goal.
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hysical education Physical activity is not just a way to keep your body fit! But also, basis for healthy creative minds.
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ife skills I can decide what is right for me! Negotiation on ethics is beyond my consideration.
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iv / aids Prevention is better than cure! Let’s spread the awareness about HIV/AIDS among youth.
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hild marriage Education is the most powerful tool to prevent child marriage! Let’s empower our girls and not get them married before 18 years.
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nvironment Its youth who shall take the responsibility to save nature! Lets make our country clean and green.
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enstrual HYGIENE My periods are my identity of being a girl! It is not a matter of shame, shyness or suppression.
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ubstance abuse Drugs kill mind, prosperity and health! We shall not fall prey to its addiction.
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1 Community Mobilization / 39 2 Peer Sessions / 41 3 YIC Activity / 43 4 Skill Building / 45 5 Schools / 47 6 Health Checkup / 49 7 Children’s Day / 51 8 Youth Day / 53 36
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ommunity
mobilization
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Engage people in the most participative manner for the good you do for them! Help them achieve goals for the development of their communities using the self-resilient efforts!
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eer sessions 40
A platform of tapping youth to help educate one another and harness the many positive aspects of peer influence!
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ic activity 42
Not a chat room but a place to discover the inner self, to learn more and discuss the problems with fellow peers. Games, books, events fascinate me and I could find them all here!
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kill building 44
Skills are never taught, they are acquired. Learning by doing to earn skills is truly important for the development of Youth!
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chools 46
My school teaches more than just textbooks. I learnt to take care of my health and survived my Adolescent years.
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ealth checkup 48
May we approach you if you don’t come to us and look at your health. The earlier it is diagnosed, the faster it gets cured!
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hildrens day 50
Children are the world’s most valuable resources, and the best hope for the future. Love them, care for them and help them achieve healthy, happy and positive life.
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outh day 52
Let’s build India, a country of healthy and energetic youth that constructs its bright future. We, educated youth can change the world, without falling prey to circumstances.
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#1 It’s my responsibility! Thakur Bhim Yadav / 56 case story
#2 Empower women in society! Kamla Devi / 56 case story
#3 School inculcates healthy habits in children! Kumar Vishwas Mohan / 57 case story
#4 I want to fly! Kiran / 57 case story
#5 Its all about being positive in Life! Vinay / 58 case story
#6 Lets fight against anemia and malnutrition! Reena Yadav / 58 case story
#7 Leadership is an action for me! Mayur / 59 case story
#8 From ignorance to bliss! Sona / 59 case story
#9 Stay away from Drugs; not a thing to experiment! Sajjan / 60 case story
#10 Our daughters are not A burden; stop child marriage Subhashni / 60 case story
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c a s e s t o ry
#1
#2
It’s my responsibility!
Empower women in society!
Member Gram Panchayat Narayani Block; Banda; Uttar Pradesh
Member of Saraswati Mamta Samooh Banda, Uttar Pradesh
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Thakur Bhim Yadav, 52 years old
wo and a half years ago, when the staff of MAMTA NGO introduced themselves and briefed about their work, I wasn’t fully convinced. I thought it to be like any other NGO. However, in the 30 months of the project, through the hardship and dedication of the staff, I could sense the change. Women are now much more empowered than before, the ambulance service has become active, and girls seem more confident now. Besides the enhancement of the knowledge of the community, their attitudes towards casteism and untouchability have changed which is a major social issue in our villages. Project Jagriti has awakened the leadership in me. I will now attend Gram Panchayat meetings more often and spread the messages I have learned about good health and nutrition.
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c a s e s t o ry
Kamla Devi, 43 years old
am a part of a self help group along with other 11 members. I had noticed many changes after getting engaged with Project Jagriti. Adolescent girls now seem more informed about their health issues including menstrual hygiene. I would request MAMTA NGO to focus on women empowerment more and build the decision-making power of the women in the family. I would reconcile my thought by saying, “Jan Jan Ko Bandhana Hai, Naari Shakti Ko Jagaana Hai”.
c a s e s t o ry
#3
School inculcates healthy habits in children! Kumar Vishwas Mohan, 45 years old Schoolteacher, High school Phoolwari Sharif Block, Patna, Bihar
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have been teaching students from first to eighth standard. My experience of being involved in Project Jagriti has been very nice. I have been the part of their Water and Sanitation Hygiene and menstruation hygiene program in our school. I could notice the change in the habits of children towards washing their hands before eating food and after going to the toilet. They maintain cleanliness in their classrooms as well. Still, the girls lack confidence in discussing issues related to their health and hygiene with their teachers or parents. The change has begun and the fruits are yet to flourish. I convey my message to the children by saying, “Concentrate on your targets and work towards achieving them in life�.
c a s e s t o ry
#4
I want to fly! Kiran, 17 years old
Adolescent girl, Peer educator Village Itaunja, Bakshi Ka talab, Uttar Pradesh
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am a proud peer educator of my group. I keep my sessions interesting and engaging by including some game or activities. I found nutrition, menstruating topics very useful and interesting to learn and teach but HIV and other sexual health issues were little difficult to explain. I want to educate girls more on preventing early marriage and childbirth. I want to build their self-efficacy in taking the decision towards saying no to child marriage. I wish to open a beauty salon and become independent economically. My family also supports me. Thanks to Project Jagriti for their support and guidance in changing my life and the life of my friends.
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c a s e s t o ry
#5
Its all about being positive in Life! Vinay, 15 years old
Adolescent boy, Peer educator Karanpur, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan
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first met with MAMTA staff when didi came to our house for line listing in her project. Eventually, I developed a special bond with other staff members of the project. I love reading books and have gone through the YAUVAN module twice. Telling stories in the sessions to help peers understand the topic in depth is a promising approach. My friends and I visit Youth information centre at least once a week and read books, play games. At times, I found physical changes during adolescence quite difficult to explain. I liked discussing life skills education chapter from the flipbook. I have dreamt of becoming a doctor in life and thanks to MAMTA didi who motivated me to pursue my aim. One message I would like to give to my peers is, they should learn about life skills, which will help them live healthy, happily and positively.
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c a s e s t o ry
#6
Lets fight against anemia and malnutrition! Reena Yadav, 28 years old Auxiliary nurse Midwife Kavirampur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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he changes due to Project Jagriti are phenomenal. There has been definitely a big change in the knowledge, and attitude of the youth with respect to health and nutrition. I have attended one of their sensitization meetings with front line workers. We had a very fruitful discussion over practical solutions to some of the major challenges related to anemia reduction among adolescent girls. I still feel the need to push for improvement in awareness among youth and their parents to stop the transmission of malnourishment over generations.
c a s e s t o ry
#7
c a s e s t o ry
#8
Leadership is an action for me!
From ignorance to bliss!
Adolescent boy Gaddigodam, Gautam Nagar, Taksheda, Nagpur
Adolescent girl Nihal Vihar, West Delhi
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Mayur, 18 years old
met with MAMTA staff during their line listing process. My sister who attended one of their Youth information centre meetings suggested me to join the group in Project Jagriti. I was thrilled to have attended such interesting sessions on health issues related to my need. The small activities they used such as spoon marble games, ball games or fruit salad games to help us understand health issues were amazing. HIV/AIDS and pubertal changes have been difficult to understand. I want to become a police officer in the future. I am much more confident now, better at decision making and still improving my leadership skills. One message to my peers is “to stay away from drugs and alcohol�.
Sona, 14 years old
am the only child of my parents. I was very protected and introvert. My world was limited to my home and school. However, it was that day when didi from MAMTA visited us and urged my parents to let me join their peer education group, the adolescence in me took a flight. My periods had started and I was not aware of any kind of pads or precautions. It was during the sessions, I was told how to practice menstrual hygiene and stay healthy. The shame and shy in me to discuss such issues with parents was also overcome during sessions. I shared all my learning with the parents. They feel happy that I have become self-dependent and can take care of myself well.
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c a s e s t o ry
#9
#10
Stay away from Drugs; not a thing to experiment!
Our daughters are not burden; stop child marriage
Adolescent boy, Peer educator Khasoli village, churu, Rajasthan
Outreach worker, Project Jagriti LR Nagar, Bangalore
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Sajjan, 17 years old
y first introduction with Project Jagriti happened at a sensitization meeting in our village. Since then, I am connected with the project. I am a peer educator of a group of 26 adolescent boys. I keep my sessions lively by sharing some jokes so that they remain engaged with me. Lifestyle-related disease topics are challenging yet important to understand in the current scenario of their increasing burden. My father is a diabetic, so I know how many medications he has to take and regular check-ups he undergoes annually. I aspire to join the army one day and keeping myself fit is the goal of my life. In one line, I would convey to my peers that ”stay healthy and study hard”.
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c a s e s t o ry
Subhashni, 33 years old
he poor socio-economic conditions of the family compelled my parents to marry me at a very young age of 18 years. However, I couldn’t let poverty go off even after marriage. It was two years back when I first met a staff from MAMTA who convinced me to join this noble profession of public service. This day of my empowerment would not have come without my husband’s support in my decision and letting me work. Under Project Jagriti, there has been a lot of emphasis on building knowledge and skills of community workers like me through various approaches of conventional teachings and other interesting pedagogic models. The quality of workshops have been evaluated simultaneously and post training through multiple sources such as prepost and other assessment techniques. I am happy to share that I have become an Anganwadi worker now. The learning in the project had helped me. I have taken a pledge to work towards spreading awareness on prevention of child marriage.
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Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached Swami Vivekananda
mamta-himc
bridge to health & beyond
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