| 1) | DEVELOPMENT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN HEALTH CARE ACTIVITIES OF ROTARY CLUB, CHENNAI AND THE GEORGE FOUNDATION, BANGALORE. | |
| 2) | DEVELOP A PROGRAM WITH SCHOOLS WHERE STUDENTS WITH HELP FROM TEACHERS, PRODUCE MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS ON SOCIETAL CONCERNS BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED ON A CD THAT I HAVE DEVELOPED |
CONTINUE GIVING LECTURES TO STUDENTS; My experience with giving HIV/AIDS lectures to school students is that in order to be successful we need to take into account the following: The message in schools has to be acceptable not only to students, but also to the teachers and the principal. Otherwise there will not be follow ups. My talks are a mix of information, morality, and patriotism and tailored by me on the spot to suit the needs of the situation as I read it. Also, I make an effort to involve the students during the presentation. This is done by asking them questions or their opinion on issues. Finally the question answers session at the end is essential and I believe they retained much more from that than from the talk. The format that works well is one hour for the presentation and one hour for questions.
SUMMARY OF THE MESSAGE OF TALKS GIVEN IN SCHOOLS:
| 1) | No risky Sex | |
| 2) | Avoid alcohol and drugs (impair judgement and may lead to risky sex) | |
| 3) | Dont cheat yourself or others | |
| 4) | Help and educate others | |
| 5) | Work hard to make India proud |
The following is a brief description of the audience and an outline of the lectures that I gave. I have also briefly listed my perception of the response and the contact person. Hopefully, institutions that showed interest are approached by other activists for follow up.
| Aug. 15: | TIME: | 11 am - 12.00 noon |
| PLACE: | House of Mr. S. Krishnaswami, Chennai | |
| PEOPLE: | Mr. Krishnaswami, Ramesh Agarwal | |
| TOPIC: | DEVELOPING HEALTH CARE IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | Ramesh Agarwal | |
| GOAL: | To introduce The George Foundation, Bangalore to the Rotary Club. Forge an alliance through Mr. Krishnaswami. To discuss how to enhance the scope and quality of health care and education for rural India. | |
| FUTURE: | Mr. Krishnaswami will arrange for members of Rotary Club to visit the operations of The George Foundation on health and education and TGF will do likewise. I will help co-ordinate. | |
| Aug. 23: | TIME: | 11 am - 1.00 pm |
| PLACE: | IMA Hall, Krishnagiri (near Bangalore) | |
| AUDIENCE: | 80 doctors of primary health care clinics, Tamil Naidu | |
| TALK TITLE: | HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| GOAL: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. Why and how doctors can spread awareness and help those infected. | |
| IMPACT: | Not clear whether these doctors are interested in the welfare of society. | |
| Aug. 24: | TIME: | 11 am - 1.00 pm |
| PLACE: | Engineering College, Hosur (near Bangalore) | |
| AUDIENCE: | 500 male students | |
| TALK TITLE: | HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| GOAL: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. How students can proptect themselves and help protect others. | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked and the desire to help make others aware. | |
| Aug. 24: | TIME: | 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm |
| PLACE: | MGR Womens College, Hosur (near Bangalore) | |
| AUDIENCE: | 400 female students | |
| TALK TITLE: | HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| GOAL: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians. | |
| IMPACT: | Very good response in terms of questions asked and the desire to help make others aware. | |
| AUG. 24: | TIME: | 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm |
| PLACE: | Shanti Bhavan, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Naidu | |
| PEOPLE: | 8 Members of Rotary Club, Chennai | |
| AGENDA: | To visit Shanti Bhavan and Bhagalur PHC | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| TOPIC: | Shanti Bhavan is a residential school for children from highly underprivileged sections of society. Dealing with such students poses special difficulties. The discussion with teachers and caretakers of the school focussed on analysing these. | |
| FUTURE: | The teachers will develop a program for stress reduction amongst staff and setting goals for students. | |
| AUG. 25: | TIME: | 12.00 pm - 2.30 pm |
| PLACE: | Engineering College, Adichunchunagiri Mutt | |
| AUDIENCE: | 100 male and 100 female students, and teachers | |
| AGENDA: | HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| TOPIC: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. To educate them on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians. Issues faced by women in a male dominated society. | |
| RESPONSE: | Very enthusiastic response judging by the questions | |
| AUG. 26: | TIME: | 10.30 pm - 12.30 pm |
| PLACE: | KIMS Medical College, Bangalore | |
| AUDIENCE: | 20 students of term 4 and 6 | |
| AGENDA: | Role of doctors in stopping the HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| TOPIC: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. To explore how doctors can educate their patients on (i) what is HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians. | |
| RESPONSE: | Very enthusiastic response | |
| FUTURE: | Will think about these issues and incorporate them in their clinical practice | |
| AUG. 26: | TIME: | 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm |
| PLACE: | KIMS Medical College, Bangalore | |
| AUDIENCE: | 20 students of term 5 | |
| AGENDA: | Risky behavior and the HIV CRISIS IN INDIA | |
| HOST: | The George Foundation, Bangalore | |
| TOPIC: | To give a social background to the societal problems in India and how HIV spreads and thrives as a result of these. To educate them on (i) Why risky behavior arises and leads to HIV, (ii) how to protect oneself from getting infected, and (iii) why we need the help of the youth to spread the message and ensure a bright future for all Indians. | |
| RESPONSE: | Very enthusiastic response | |
| FUTURE: | Will think about these issues and incorporate them in their clinical practice | |
| AUG. 28: | TIME: | MORNING 8.30 - 9.45 |
| PLACE: | Vasant Valley School, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 150 boys and girls, 10 teachers | |
| TALK TITLE: | DEVELOPING MULTIMEDIA ON SOCIETAL ISSUES | |
| HOST: | Arun Kapur and Ms. Dimple Sharma | |
| GOAL: | Using my CD containing information on societal issues to develop multimedia presentations on (i) Anti-smoking (ii) Anti alcohol, (iii) Role of women in India (iv) Environmental concerns. | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, staff and principal. Formed over 50 teams of 2-3 students from each of 9 and 11 grades | |
| FUTURE: | The development of multimedia will be done during the months of Sept-Dec and the competition will be in JAN, 2001 | |
| AUG. 28: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30 - 11.45 |
| PLACE: | Modern School, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan and Gautum Sarkar | |
| TOPIC: | DEVELOPING MULTIMEDIA ON SOCIETAL ISSUES | |
| HOST: | Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan | |
| GOAL: | Worked with Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan and computer teacher Gautum Sarkar to explore program for multimedia development by students | |
| FUTURE: | Full endorsement by Principal to go ahead. To meet students on Aug 29 and give a overview and organize the teams. | |
| AUG. 28: | TIME: | AFTERNOON 2.00 - 3.30 |
| PLACE: | Vasant Valley School, New Delhi | |
| PEOPLE: | Ms. Dimple Sharma | |
| TOPIC: | DEVELOPING surveys and health education material | |
| GOAL: | To develop a school wide curriculum on health and societal issues and surveys to test effectiveness and impact. | |
| FUTURE: | Carry out the survey via the web interface. | |
| AUG. 29: | TIME: | MORNING 10.30 - 11.45 |
| PLACE: | Modern School, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi | |
| AUDIENCE: | 250 boys and girls, 10 teachers | |
| TALK TITLE: | DEVELOPING MULTIMEDIA ON SOCIETAL ISSUES | |
| HOST: | Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan | |
| GOAL: | Using my CD containing information on societal issues to develop multimedia presentations on (i) Anti-smoking (ii) Anti alcohol, (iii) Role of women in India (iv) Environmental concerns, (v) HIV and (vi) Drugs. | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from principal -- Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan. Formed over 50 teams of 2-3 students from 11 grade | |
| FUTURE: | The development of multimedia will be done during the months of Sept-Dec and the competition will be in JAN, 2001 | |
| AUG: 30: | TIME: | MORNING 10.00 - 11.30 am |
| PLACE: | Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 800 students and 50 teachers, Principal, trustees | |
| TALK TITLE: | PRESENTATION OF MULTIMEDIA BY STUDENTS | |
| HOST: | Ms. Indira Kumar, Principal | |
| GOAL: | 5 teams of 2-3 students presented a 10-12 minute multimedia development of anti-smoking. Prizes for first and second place were given. | |
| IMPACT: | Very strong endorsement from students, teachers, principal | |
| FUTURE: | Initiation of topics for next years development. | |
| AUG. 30: | TIME: | AFTERNOON 12.30 - 2.00 PM |
| PLACE: | Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana | |
| AUDIENCE: | 200 teachers, Principal, trustees | |
| TALK TITLE: | DEVELOPING COMMUNICATION SKILLS | |
| HOST: | Ms. Indira Kumar, Principal | |
| GOAL: | The talk showed, by examples, the need and power of communication skills at home, school, and in professional life. The role of parents and teachers in developing these skills. | |
| IMPACT: | Not clear |
The George Foundation, Bangalore: The inspiring work of Jude Devdas, Mr. Devdas, Jerry Devdas, Ms. Lalitha Lal, Urmilla, Mr. Anand and Asok Das amply demonstrates what dedication can achieve even in face of all the obstacles common in India. My lectures were part of their extensive and holistic approach to up lifting the life of people in rural India.
Rotary Club, Chennai: Mr. S. Krishnaswami and Ramesh Agarwal for initiating a collaboration with the George Foundation, Bangalore on issues of health care in rural India.
Mr Arun Kapur, Director Vasant Valley School, Ms. Dimple Sharma, and the tremendous support of all the teachers of Vasant Valley School.
Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan, Principal Modern School, Barakhambha Road, New Delhi, computer teacher Gautum Sarkar, and teachers of senior school
Mrs. Ms. Indira Kumar, Principal Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana, for tremendous organization and support from the school. Drs Pratibha Rath and Sonia Shroff for directing the pioneering project showing that the development of multimedia by students is a big success.
Thanks to T. Bhattacharya and Alice Chapman for their constant support
Rajan Gupta