Dalit Freedom Network Canada

This month, in lieu of writing a Project update we are inviting you to share your thoughts, opinions, and stories. We are asking you to write a comment on this page telling us and other readers why you support this particular project. What is it about health care workers that interests you? What made you decide to get involved?

The staff of DFN Canada truly believes that you are as much a part of what is happening in India as we are. We are very thankful to have you as part of the team.

Let us know why this cause caught your attention!

VLK School in South India is privileged to have a health care worker. The young woman divides her time between the school and surrounding villages, bring knowledge and free medication with her everywhere she works. She is already having a significant impact on the health of the students, as she is distributing daily vitamins and supplements. Since starting at the school in 2008 she has attended two intensive training sessions, in addition to her initial health education; this ensures that she is providing the best possible care to the community. Many schools are not yet as fortunate as VLK and are still awaiting funding for a health care worker. Please consider supporting this project. 

RSP school has been educating slum children for fifteen years and has developed a very good reputation in the community. Parents are thrilled with the high standard of education their children are receiving, as well as with the love and care displayed by the staff. Because of this long-term relationship between school and slum, when RSP’s health care worker first arrived at the school last year she was graciously received. She earned the community’s respect simply by being part of a staff the residents already trusted. Now the health care worker is able to visit patients at home, conduct public health information programs, and take people to hospital whenever needed. RSP’s commitment to improving the lives of their students through education has led to the possibility of reaching the larger community through health care. This is just one example of DFN’s vision being lived out: transforming entire communities, starting with a school. 

KKL now has a health care worker! She started her job at the school on March 9, fresh from the February training. She is a local woman who the school manager met and sent for training; this is a huge asset, as she is already familiar with the local community, language, and culture. Because of this she will be very helpful not only in the school, but in all the surrounding villages she visits. She will be bringing the same unique health care approach as the other school healthcare workers to the community of KKL: visiting families in their homes, providing free medications, treating the students, distributing vitamins, and much more. She is now one more of the hundreds of incredible DFN staff bringing transformation and hope to the remote corners of India.