Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable Trust

Inspired by the science of Ayurveda  Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable Trust (VWCT)  was founded in 2014. We focus on the "silent killer” malnourishm Read moreent in the State of Tamil Nadu. In addition to lack of access, poor understanding and lack of awareness adds to the burden of malnutrition. VWCT implements various programs in rural parts of Tamil Nadu to tackle the problem of malnutrition.   Vision : To alleviate malnourishment through Ayurveda principles for Happy and healthy children, the AYUSH way. Mission: ●                   Improve the health status of children by alleviating malnourishment using evidence-based Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) practices ●                   Ensure the enormity of malnourishment is emphasized and acted upon ●                   Leverage AYUSH as the healthcare system and help the common man rediscover the ancient wisdom         Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable Trust was created in 2014 with an intention to alleviate the problem of malnourishment in children through our ancient Indian sciences. While our primary focus is on addressing the problem of malnutrition in children, we recognize that malnourishment is about health, hygiene, nutrition, education and social development of children and which are interconnected with one another. Our interventions involve not just providing AYUSH based treatment but also raising awareness, inspiring action and ensuring scalability. Vision: Happy and healthy children, the AYUSH way. Mission: Improve the health status of children by alleviating malnourishment using evidence-based Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) practices Ensure the enormity of malnourishment is emphasized and acted upon  Leverage AYUSH as the healthcare system and help the common man rediscover the ancient wisdom  Understanding the problem Malnutrition continues to be a widespread issue In India particularly for those living in rural, disadvantaged, and marginalized populations. Lack of access to proper nutrition, accounting for multiple deficiencies and deprivations. In addition to lack of access, poor understanding and lack of awareness of the burden of malnutrition and the importance of nutrition, and poverty inflates malnutrition and hidden hunger. The problem of hidden hunger is also increasing, which corresponds to vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to non-consumption of nutritious and healthy food. VWCT implements various programs in rural parts of Tamil Nadu to tackle the problem of malnutrition.  Strategy of VWCT We, at Vaishnavi Welfare and Charitable Trust, believe that health is not just the absence of disease but life in balance, complete happiness, success and fulfilment. Ayurveda/Siddha is the world’s oldest and most comprehensive scientific system of natural health care. It is a vedic tradition of India. Formally recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it emphasizes on prevention of disease by promotion of health and longevity. This approach focuses on addressing malnourishment by tackling not just the symptoms but also key factors that lead to such conditions. The key principle of this approach is to understand the digestive and nutrient absorption capacity of a body. We believe and have full faith in the ancient tenets of Ayurveda/Siddha, to provide simple yet effective and holistic solutions to tackle the problem of malnutrition. Since our inception in 2014, we have been tirelessly working with the local community to address the problem of malnutrition. This is done through two main programs implemented by VWCT: Jeevani Milk Scheme and Malnourishment Free Gram Panchayats (MNFP). Jeevani Milk Scheme This programme was the first intervention by VWCT that addressed child nutrition. Through the Jeevani Milk program, children were provided milk with Ashwagandhadhi churna. Children suffering from malnourishment were given milk with this revitalizing herb, known for its healing properties. Health benefits of Ashwangandhadhi churna include supporting a balanced immune system and improved digestion. Other benefits like improvement in conditions of breathlessness, palpitation, optimum height and weight, energy levels/ stamina and back pain were observed among the beneficiaries. This program was undertaken from 2014 & continues across the state of Tamil Nadu. The beneficiary count for this program includes 3200 children across the state. We currently want to support 600 children. Cost per child is Rs. 7000/- for a year The cost includes periodic doctor visits , milk on a daily basic with ashwagandhadhi churna, medicine for basic healthcare and nutritional snacks for the child.    Malnourishment Free Gram Panchayats (MNFP) To take forward the initiatives to counter the problem of malnutrition, VWCT has started implementing A People Driven approach in congruence with the government initiatives. As Part of this 8 gram panchayats were adopted The MNFP is a community based project which integrates the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) along with Hygiene & Sanitation and local governance. The first step of this approach involves undertaking need analysis, conducting surveys, understanding the community needs, focused group discussion and community involvement for solutions to the issues faced. THE MAIN PROJECTS Renovation of 45 ICDS centres - The study, needs analysis of the 47 ICDS centres in the Tirunelveli district revealed certain needs like improving infrastructure like toilets, painting of walls, in house water facility, toys, outdoor play equipment and educational materials for the children up to the age of 6 years. Two of the ICDS centers were successfully renovated. The ICDS at Anthoniapuram and Sivanthiyapuram were completely refurbished with good child friendly toilets, continuous supply of water, rainwater harvesting, a kitchen garden, indoor and outdoor educative painting and educative outdoor play equipment from recycled material.   Cost per center was from 4 lakhs to 5 lakhs. The other ICDS centers have a similar requirement with budget of 4lakhs to 25 lakhs. Kitchen garden at all the 45 ICDS centers which require fencing, cleaning, fresh soil and water facilities. This is government requirement which will get the children nutritious food. The cost incurred per centre is about Rs20,000 to A herb research centre guided by the top Siddha doctor, Dr Sivaraman. This is to showcase all the valuable herbs of the Western Ghats and encourage collection and growing of these as home remedies for simple ailments.   WASH Program -  According to the World Health Organization, roughly 50% of all malnutrition is associated with repeated diarrhoea or intestinal worm infections as a direct result of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene Study of Sanitation and hygiene requirements in the 8 gram panchayats revealed requirements like water testing labs and treatment plants. Solid waste management program needs to start with awareness along the guidelines of the SDG goals for every panchayat and implementation of at source segregation in every single household. In depth need analysis and resource mapping has been completed for kavalkinaru panchayat with an approximate budget of 10 lakhs Advocacy and intervention Community – Awareness camps and health camps were conducted by the Siddha physician, Psychologist in collaboration with our other partners (SEEDS trust and VMSSS) to spread the knowledge and practices enabling health, mindset to choose healthy foods and the use of AYUSH remedies. 2 health camps were conducted in Sivathiyapuram and Anthoniarpuram giving general public free Siddha consultations and medicine or referring them to the nearest Siddha facilities for prolonged treatment. Mothers were brought together in ICDS centres and education relating to home remedies and antenatal care. Children with acute malnutrition from the ICDS are treated by the Siddha doctor and psychologist helped in deciphering and intervening in  the social reasons for the malnutrition in children to stop the recurrence. The families were visited and children were given the required medicines and the primary care taker was also given appropriate help to care for the little ones. In one such case the mother had mental ill health and the children were transferred to a home under the CDS purview. She was treated with siddha remedies and psychiatric medication.   Restoration of water bodies in Tirunelveli - Conservation of water bodies and restoration of rivers and tanks are gaining public momentum in India. Several waterbodies are restored with the active participation of the public in the recent past in Tamil Nadu. Anuman River near Panagudi, Tirunelveli is one of the rivers restored by the collective efforts of district administration, Anna University, Nam Anuman Nathi Society and farmers and beneficiaries of Anuman river in the year 2020. Following the restoration, 49 PWD tanks and more than 30 Union Panchayat tanks attained full capacity in the 2021 northwest monsoon. One of the tanks, Sivagami Puthukulam was restored by Vaishnavi Trust in 2022. A Farmers producers organisation with the farmers along Anuman Nadi was formed with the guidance of Sammunati Pazhayaru, a 35km historical perennial river originating from Mahendragiri hills that flows through the Kanyakumari district is facing flash floods during every rainy season as the carrying capacity of the river has reduced to 20-40% in several places. FMB and DGPS survey was completed for the same in 2022 and encroachment removal is in progress. Similarly, Nambiyaru is another river in Tirunelveli district with a length of 48 kms. Similar situation is observed and the farmers association and villagers along the river have committed to restoring the river. A trust ‘ Nam Nambiyaru’ was established for the implementation of the process. To be able to restore any water bodies, we propose to conduct an FMB and DGPS survey to enhance the accuracy of the digitalization of the river and to estimate the total cost required for a comprehensive restoration subsequently. Research and documentation We take our responsibility very seriously and engage in best form practices and document every detail for learning and improvement in the care we give our people. All projects have a research component to understand the true underlying cause and the suitable intervention is meticulously documented for further use. Vaishnavi Trust mainly works towards the empowerment and strengthening of the communities and makes sure that it implements the well thought out government schemes to the beneficiaries. We request your continued support to bring about these small but sustainable changes in the lives of these children and communities. Thank you!