It is found that 80% of blindness is preventable or curable, however most people are unable to seek treatment due to financial restrictions and lack of resources in their area. Based on this awareness, Serve Samman has set up eye camps where screening eye and cataract surgery at I Care Eye Hospital has been conducted since 2012.This year we had the opportunity to screen students of MCD schools by performing check ups and assessing any disturbances in vision. These camps are set up because parents of underprivileged students often lack the resources or time needed to get their children monitored for issues related to eyes and vision.

In order to contribute, we were able to conduct a total of 161 camps where we screened 19034 patients. Of the 590 patients with cataracts, we were able to organize 125 cataracts surgeries at the I Care Eye Hospital in Noida. In addition, 1788 glasses were distributed to patients who required them.

We were further able to provide by conducting 6 camps with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Hero for Truck Driver & DTC Bus Driver. During the months from August to October, we screened 805 patients and provided free glasses to patients that needed them.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to participate in 3 days of free eye camps in ARYA INTERNATIONAL MAHASAMELAN at Swarn Jyanti Park, Rohini, New Delhi from October 26th to October 28th. During this time, we were able to screen 624 patients and distribute free glasses accordingly.

Our parlor students were also able to showcase their talents throughout the month of August. Our students at the “Beauty Basket Course” were given the opportunity to apply their learned skills while joining us during us for Tez and Karwa Chauth on August 11th. They participated by applying mehndi and henna designs, located in C-Block, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi. Following this, on August 24th, they were able to further demonstrate their skills during a Rakhi event held at Park Plaza Hotel in Gurgaon. Their skills and efforts in providing mehndi services were highly appreciated by everyone and garnered an overall positive response.

Dr. Reddy’s contribution

Nonprofits are increasingly taking their fundraising activities to the web. Through a web-based application on Facebook, the team of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories raised funds for supporting Project Nanhi Kali.

An alumni meet was organized in Sheopur on the 26th of February for all 10th grade Nanhi Kalis who had successfully cleared their exams.

Ms. Rita Singh, a criminal lawyer by profession was one of the chief guests at the event. She spoke about the rising number of atrocities against women and the laws protecting women’s rights in India. She even advised the Nanhi Kalis to use the services of 1090 in case of emergency. 1090 is a women’s helpline introduced by the Government of Madhya Pradesh across the state.

Ms. Shanti Ruhal, the Anganwadi superintendent was the other Chief Guest. She focused on the health issues faced by adolescent girls in the country. She spoke of the increasing cases of anemia among adolescent girls and also requested all the girls to consume iron tablets distributed at the Anganwadi centre. She also spoke on menstrual hygiene and how the girls can buy a sanitary napkin from the ASHA centers at Rs.1/-.

Employee in Focus- Srinivas Chary

After 8 years of serving as a Science teacher, Srinivas Chary realized his real passion was in the development sector. He joined an eye institute where he was responsible for screening thousands of kids daily and providing them glasses free of cost and conducting a large-scale research survey.

In the Mahabubnagar (Andhra Pradesh) district for Naandi Foundation, he switched gears once again. Srinivas decided to continue his association with Naandi Foundation by coming on board for Project Nanhi Kali. Since then, he has been vital in the successful running of projects in his assigned area.

Rechristened as Naandi Sir by community members because of his dedicated involvement in the project, Srinivas has been working relentlessly since 2008 looking after the operations of 14 schools over 9 villages.

His penchant for knowledge has seen him complete a Masters in Sociology after graduation in Biological Sciences. He also holds a B.Ed and is pursuing his second Masters in Botany currently.

Every Nanhi Kali is dedicated to make the best use of education provided to her. But Geeta Kumari has taken dedication to the next level. She was forced into manual labour, but her fervent wish for being educated was fulfilled by the efforts of the Project Nanhi Kali team. Apart from diligently pursuing her academics, Geeta is an extremely gifted handball player.

She was given the opportunity to travel to the historic city of Udaipur (Rajasthan) to participate in the district handball competition. This Nanhi Kali was part of the Jhadol district team which won the first prize in September last year.

In the same month on 22nd September 2012, the interstate handball competitions were organized. She was one of three best players from different teams selected to represent the state of Rajasthan at the National Level Handball competition. She traveled to Ranchi (Jharkhand), to participate in the competition held on 28th November 2012.

Geeta is now a role model and a source of inspiration to her 5 younger siblings. The local Hindi newspaper covered her achievement. The success of this Nanhi Kali is a matter of immense pride for her family as well as the Project Nanhi Kali team.

In March, the Mahabubnagar team held a sports meet for Nanhi Kalis across the district. Interactive games such as musical chairs and spoon race was organized for Nanhi Kalis of standard 2 and 3 while skipping and athletic races were held for Nanhi Kalis of higher classes. In order to encourage such activities, the gifts for winning sporting events and for academic achievements were distributed in the presence of village elders and parents.

On 7th March, Women’s day was celebrated at the Saidapet office. Games like musical chairs were conducted for the tutors of the Project Nanhi Kali.

On the 25th of March a workshop was held in order to redesign and redevelop the content of new textbooks and workbooks for primary Nanhi Kalis. The 4-day long workshop was attended by numerous tutors and coordinators in Thiruvalluvar Gurkulam School, Saidapet.

On the 30th of March, a Nanhi Kali meet was organized in Bajna block of Ratlam district (Madhya Pradesh). The objective of the meet was to recognize the efforts of all those who have been integral in uplifting the status of female literacy in the district. The balmitras of Ratlam received a cash prize of Rs 2000/- for their outstanding contribution to project Nanhi Kali. Mothers, Core Support Group members and other support staff of Project Nanhi Kali who have championed the cause of girl child education were also honoured in the gathering.

Project Nanhi Kali has been conducting health camps in collaboration with health department officials. A total of 4768 Nanhi Kalis were covered under the year long health camps. The doctors also gave useful health tips to all the Nanhi Kalis and informed them the importance of having a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

"Education is not preparing for life, it is life itself" - John Dewey

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has decided to observe January 24th as National Girl Child Day. The ministry has taken efforts to improve the child sex ratio, conduct right-based awareness drives, empower girls by fighting for equal opportunities and achieve gender equality.

Project Nanhi Kali has been a proud partner to this cause by running one of the largest girl child education programs across India and closely monitoring the progress of the underprivileged girls. Project Nanhi Kali celebrated National Girl Child Day in its own special way.

Take a peek into the celebrations at Sheopur, Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan).