Motherchak Naboday Kishalay Sangha

The initial years of a child's life are paramount in shaping their entire life. Intervening early in their lives can significantly contribute to their success, and such interventions commenced five years ago through six early childhood centres in Pingla and Sabang Blocks, Paschim Medinipur District. These centres have continuously progressed, yielding commendable outcomes at the district level. Thus far, 750 children have benefitted from this preschool education program, and an impressive 98% of these children have seamlessly transitioned into formal schools, persisting in their education without any dropout rates.
About 80% of these children originate from socially and economically disadvantaged families.

The organization operates a homeopathic medical clinic as an alternative, cost-effective healthcare solution for the community. The escalating costs associated with allopathic medicines have limited accessibility for many individuals. Consequently, the organization established this homeopathic clinic specifically to cater to the healthcare needs of underprivileged women and children. On an average, the clinic attends to 20-30 women and children daily, providing them with essential healthcare services.

It's imperative to equip women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with vocational skills to enhance their economic prospects. Providing tailored training based on individual aptitude, existing skills, attitude, and initiative becomes crucial in this regard. In the reported year, 20 women underwent training in various skills. Their success rates in different trades are as follows:
• Mat Weaving - 95%
• Readymade Garments Making & Embroidery - 85%
• Sal Leaf Plate Making - 90%
• Bamboo Crafts Making - 85%
• Bag Making - 90%

Raising awareness is a fundamental component of any developmental process. Without awareness of their issues, people cannot take action to address the challenges they face. In many villages, individuals encounter diverse socio-economic, health, legal, and political problems. Among these challenges, women often bear the brunt. Plagued by illiteracy, women lack organization and awareness to effectively address their issues. With this perspective, the organization conducted several awareness camps focusing on topics crucial for women's welfare.

Objectives:
• Facilitate education for individuals in various essential topics necessary for a dignified life.
• Translate knowledge into practical application.
• Encourage problem-solving mechanisms among individuals.

Dishonest traders often take advantage of vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. Amidst already soaring prices, these fraudulent practices exacerbate the socio-economic plight of the underprivileged. Corruption pervades various sectors, such as healthcare centers withholding medicines, mismanagement in ration distribution denying access to essential commodities, and other instances where eligible consumers are deprived of their rights. Lacking awareness of consumer protection laws and inadequate support from NGOs and consumer advocacy groups further compound these issues.
To address this, MNKS initiated efforts to educate people on different facets of consumer protection. Two consumer protection camps were organized in Ambi and Gokulpur villages of Paschim Medinipur district. These camps aimed to empower individuals with knowledge about their rights as consumers and to equip them with resources to address consumer-related challenges.

The Organization collaborated with the District Legal Services Authority to conduct a Legal Awareness Programme for women. Approximately 500 women from the local community actively participated in the event. Mrs. Rai Chattopadhyay, the esteemed District Judge, along with Mr. Raj Kumar Das, Public Prosecutor, and Mrs. Bandana Ghosh, Assistant Public Prosecutor, delivered speeches emphasizing the protection of innocent rural women. They elucidated various laws designed for the safeguarding of women's rights.
Notably, during the program, the District Judge intervened and prevented an early child marriage case. The participants expressed satisfaction and appreciation for their involvement in the informative and empowering program.

The pressing issue of global warming commands significant attention in today's world. Inefficient water usage and inadequate water management have led to the depletion of groundwater levels. Irresponsible and excessive waste practices contribute to air pollution, resulting in an increase in airborne diseases. These factors collectively contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.
MNKS initiated an advocacy program focused on environmental conservation in Jamjhetia Village. The program featured various activities including rallies, tree planting initiatives, installation of waste disposal units, as well as quizzes and drawing competitions for school students. These endeavours aimed to raise awareness and promote proactive measures for preserving the environment.

A Training Programme for Skill Development for Persons with Disabilities was conducted in Kharagpur-II Block in partnership with the National Institute for Orthopedically Handicapped, Kolkata, operating under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The programmes were conducted for food processing, cover file making, and soft toy making. Following the completion of the skill development training program, five Self-Help Groups (mixed) were formed. These groups engage in producing various crafts, which they sell collaboratively with the Organization.

MNKS operates a rural library, Rabindra Pally Granthagar, with limited resources. Members of the teen club, students, seniors, and book enthusiasts from the area regularly visit the library to expand their knowledge.
For impoverished students, access to books is essential for their education, a service provided by this library. This support has enabled these students to excel academically and strive for a better future.
MNKS established a library in Gokulpur village, housing a collection of 5450 books, periodicals, and magazines. While many books have been donated, some were procured with assistance from the Department of Library, Government of West Bengal.
The library is open to all, witnessing an average of 10 regular readers daily, thereby offering an opportunity for the community to access and engage with literature.

The organization places significant emphasis on cultural activities, recognizing their ability to unite people and foster healthy exchanges of ideas. It has taken strategic steps to initiate cultural programs from the school level to the community level:
i) Centre of Arts and Culture for Young Minds: At the Belun village pre-primary education center in Pingla Block, children are encouraged to showcase their talents. Alongside their morning education sessions, they attend an adjacent coaching center to learn songs, dances, recitations, and drawing.
ii) Swami Vivekananda Birth Anniversary Programme: In remembrance of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, a "Cultural Programme" was organized at the MNKS campus in Kharagpur-II Block, Paschim Medinipur district. The event saw participation from 45 school children and 36 rural youth.

Objectives:
• Assess the status of women, particularly in the productive age group of 15-60 years.
• Evaluate the economic and social progress of impoverished and Dalit women.
• Provide socio-legal aid to disadvantaged women facing difficult circumstances.
• Facilitate the organization and empowerment of women's groups. Encourage and strengthen small-scale savings among women.
• Enhance the vocational skills of women.
• Utilize women's groups for substantial economic transformation.
Through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods, the organisation has identified the needs of women in the operational areas. These women, previously unorganized, gradually realized the necessity of collective action to address exploitative socio-economic systems.