16 April 2024: Times Employ India Foundation, the CSR Solutions Wing of TimesPro, in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum and the Department of Tribal Affairs, Jhabua successfully completed a six-month health and hygiene project. The initiative aimed to tackle anaemia and malnutrition across seven government schools in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.
During this initiative, alongside conducting blood tests and primary health check-ups, around 3,807 students were motivated daily in inventive ways to embrace nutritious diets, maintain personal hygiene standards, and embrace a wholesome lifestyle. Times Employ India Foundation assigned Hygiene Educators to each school to facilitate consistent training and sessions for children on essential health and hygiene principles. The efforts were backed by training materials, posters, guest lectures, interactive sessions, and competitive events.
The hygiene educators encourage healthy habits among students, such as regular consumption of nutritious food, proper hygiene practices, and physical activities. To achieve this, they utilised soft skills training through various activities, including street theatre performances, community and school-based plays, and the Building As Learning Aid (BALA) initiative. The BALA initiative involved decorating school walls with pictorial messages promoting health and hygiene. The cumulative efforts of the hygiene educators over the past six months have positively influenced students’ health. The results of the second phase of blood tests showed a significant improvement in the children’s behavioural practices.
Speaking on the initiative, Arun Kabra, President of CSR Projects, Times Employ India Foundation said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with the government and BPCL to launch this programme aimed at eliminating the challenges that hinder the growth and well-being of our children. Through our efforts and campaigns in schools and communities, we are committed to creating a conducive environment for learning and living that strengthens immunity and instils hygienic practices. It’s about investing in a healthier future for Madhya Pradesh.”
Ms. Nisha Mehra, Asst. Commissioner, Tribal Affairs Department and Seema Trivedi, the Principal of Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Jhabua praised BPCL and Times Employ India Foundation for their efforts and hopes for the programme’s continuity to achieve sustainable development. Seema Trivedi also stated that there has been a considerable increase in awareness of health and hygiene aspects among the female students at her school. The students have been sensitised about ideal hygiene behaviour and now are practising proper hygiene and balanced meals. The initiative has notably improved their general health, resulting in increased attendance as well.