In the 90s, when Melghat came into limelight because of high malnutrition cases, we had decided that while we will work to get the figures down, we will also encourage the locals to join us so that they can carry on the fight on their own later. We have succeeded," said Rameshwar Phad, co-ordinator, NGO Maitri, Melghat.
Twenty-two-year-old Kailash Dhurve first came to NGO Maitri's camp, along with his younger sister, as a malnourished child. Ten years later, he is one of the 25 locals who have joined hands with the NGO for the upliftment of fellow villagers. NGOs Maitri and Mahan have empowered the locals to fight their own battle.
"In the 90s, when Melghat came into limelight because of high malnutrition cases, we had decided that while we will work to get the figures down, we will also encourage the locals to join us so that they can carry on the fight on their own later. We have succeeded," said Rameshwar Phad, co-ordinator, NGO Maitri, Melghat.
Phad said locals like Kailash help in conducting dhadak mohim in monsoon (a campaign in which volunteers from across state and country come to Melghat for the season) and, in the absence of doctors, also assist villagers in getting medical assistance on time. "He (Kailash) knows the medicines that need to be given for fever, diarrhoea and other such ailments. He stays in touch with the anganwadi for malnutrition cases in the village, deliveries, etc, and intimates us in case of emergency," said Phad. He added that with this a chain reaction of growth and development has been initiated in Melghat. "We had given them financial support and training. Now, they work on their own and I am only required for suggestions and supervision."
Kalu Betekar is another young local from Melghat, who has joined NGO Maitri and actively takes part in gram panchayat decisions. "We participate in dharnas to fight for issues like electricity, road repair and non-payment of dues under Rojgar Hami Yojana. We plan the agitations along with the locals. Due to our efforts, locals who were scared of government officials are now raising their voices," said Betekar, who stays in Hatru village.
After completing his HSC, Betekar decided to migrate out of Melghat for a job but soon returned. "I realised that by migrating ground realities won't change here. We have to be part of the system to improve it. There are several job opportunities in Melghat, provided by the government. We have to spread awareness on the same, so that more people take up work here," he added.
Like NGO Maitri, NGO Mahan, which generally operates in Dharni taluka, too has trained two locals from each village. "One is a woman who is trained to not only medically examine the child and the mother, but also give first aid in absence of doctors. In many cases, preventive treatment helps in bringing mortality rate down. We have trained a woman in each village for the same who, apart from examining the child, distributes nutritious food. We also have another villager who takes care of the non-health problems," said Dr Ambadas Adha, programme manager, NGO Mahan.
Std VII pass Pushpa Jamunkar (28) is one of the two trained locals of Kokmar village in Melghat. She has so far conducted 27 deliveries and is trained to handle birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis and pneumonia among other conditions.
Dr Ravindra Kolhe, doctor and social activist who has been living in Melghat for last 30 years, said NGOs role should be that of a catalyst. "We need to empower the locals and let them know their rights and ensure government schemes are implemented. We have 400-450 locals working with us in 150 villages in Melghat. We empower the locals with knowledge on farming and health, and job opportunities in Melghat," said Kolhe.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "empowered")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}