Progressive Foundation

NJIA, a programme initiated by Progressive Foundation in collaboration with the Pepal Foundation, is dedicated to enhancing healthcare through leadership development. This programme targets public health workers with the primary goal of improving cervical cancer prevention services in various regions of Uttar Pradesh. The programme not only focuses on developing leadership skills but also emphasises the adoption of agile mindsets among frontline health workers, as well as involving Roche employees. This approach enables frontline health workers to optimise available resources and support the Indian Government's 'Sampoorna Programme,' particularly in cervical cancer prevention. The Programme aspires to foster innovation, enhancing the capacity of frontline health workers to deliver high-quality cervical cancer prevention services to the women of Uttar Pradesh.

This project has dual objectives: elevating the Cervical Cancer screening rate for women aged 30-65 and promoting HPV vaccination through community mobilization in Barabanki's five blocks. The organisation prioritizes thorough counselling, highlighting the risks of Cervical Cancer and the benefits of early detection, advocating for the Visual Inspection Acetic Acid (VIA) test as a painless method. Emphasis lies on optimizing health literacy and transforming women's beliefs. Ongoing activities in Fatehpur, Nindura, Banki, Dewa, and Masauli include surveys, awareness camps, and screening and HPV vaccination camps, guided by Barabanki's District Immunization Officer and Chief Medical Officer.

In response to the widespread health crisis and its profound effects, the initiative 'Mindrise,' led by Progressive Foundation in collaboration with Parliamentarians with Innovators for Impact, is addressing the mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently funded by GIZ, Mindrise is specifically dedicated to supporting children who have lost one or both parents due to COVID-19. The primary focus of Mindrise is to provide mental health counselling to these children, assisting them in taking initial steps towards emotional and psychological well-being, and aiding in coping with grief, loss, and post-traumatic stress. Since its launch in February 2022, the project has garnered nearly 900 inquiries, with children seeking guidance on career counselling and various career opportunities. Moreover, it has reached approximately 2,500 children, conducting around 200 counselling sessions.

Immunise, currently supported by GIZ, is a project designed to combat vaccine hesitancy and enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Employing a data-driven strategy, the project identifies regions in India with low vaccine acceptance and high hesitancy rates. Scientifically validated information is disseminated through its website, social media channels, and distribution partnerships. Immunise simplifies intricate scientific details for the general public and condenses research findings for overwhelmed health professionals. Recognizing the influential role of social media, the project aims to endorse the safety, efficacy, and long-term benefits of COVID-19 vaccines. It actively addresses vaccine myths, sharing personal experiences to instill confidence in vaccination. Given the WHO's concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy, Immunise prioritizes countering false information on social media by providing accurate and positive content.

"Class Saathi," a creation of "TagHive," is an educational technology designed for smart classrooms, employing clicker-based formative assessments. It integrates individual clicker devices for students, a mobile app for teachers, administrators, and parents, along with a dashboard for administrators. Engaging over 8000 students, the programme addresses attendance, class participation, and teacher-student interaction. With real-time data and feedback, it contributes to gender equality goals by ensuring equal opportunities for girls and boys. The "Class Saathi Dashboard" assists teachers in ongoing, real-time student assessments, enabling a nuanced understanding of learning levels and facilitating tailored support for improvement. Active involvement of the School Management Committee, Gram Pradhan, parents, and the community enhances support for schools.

Operated under the Shiksha KayaKalp initiative, specialized coaching classes for the NEET medical entrance exam are offered to biology students in adopted inter colleges in Mathura. These educational institutions primarily serve underprivileged students in rural areas, addressing their lack of access to competitive exam coaching. The initiative, supported by Bliss Kids, provides disadvantaged students with high-quality coaching and mentorship at subsidized costs. It incorporates online coaching with live interactions for doubt resolution, features an exceptional faculty, and offers free tablets for coaching and study purposes. Selected students, identified through rigorous screening tests, are now pursuing their aspirations with collaborative support from Progressive Foundation, Bliss Kids, and Shiksha KayaKalp.

Progressive Foundation focuses on hygiene, sanitation, and cleanliness initiatives. Collaborating with Dettol and Dainik Jagaran, the Foundation successfully achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for 100 villages in Varanasi, Etawah, and Kannauj through the Banega Swachchha India drive. The foundation works alongside PRI members, mothers, frontline health workers, and faith leaders, sensitizing and training them to raise awareness about toilet construction and usage. Additionally, Progressive Foundation played a role in supporting the Prime Minister's team in the renovation of Ghats along the River Ganga in Varanasi and implemented a drinking water system in Jayapur village, Varanasi.