<b>Gujarat Voluntary Health Association (GVHA)</b><br><br>

GVHA with a holistic approach to promoting health and development started various programs in the Kutch district, soon after the earthquake. GVHA carried out the community based health programme in the earthquake affected 20 villages of Bhachau and Rapar in Kutch Dist. Health care services were being given to the people of Maai and surrounding villages through its base camp and mobile clinic. Training sessions were organized on the second Saturday of every month for the Health Workers and TBAs. Sewing and embroidery courses were also organized for women and adolescent girls under livelihood programme.<br><br>GVHA organized State Level Convention for Community Health Workers from 8 – 10 April, 2005 on PNDT Act, Sex Determination and Female Foeticide, other health issues and to stop unhealthy practices in their villages. More than 460 participants were present from 58 institutions. The convention facilitated a platform for member organizations and their field staff to meet and exchange ideas and experiences, success and failures.<br><br>GVHA implemented IEC Scheme under AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in Padra and Tarapura Talukas in collaboration with Nirmala Samaj Kendera and Jeevan Jyoti. Two community awareness programmes were organized on 19th and 21st April at Jalalpura and Mahiyari villages. In addition, two orientation-cum-training programmes were also organized on cultivation of medicinal plants for farmers on 28th April at Jalalpura and Valli villages. <br><br>GVHA collaborated with Gujarat State AIDS Control Society in implementing the School AIDS Control Program in Taksha Shila Shala Vikas Sankul of Ahmedabad District. Advocacy workshop was organized for School Principals, Parents – Teachers on 1st October at Utopia School. 95 participants from 54 schools participated in the workshop. GVHA also organized two training programmes for Nodal Teachers and Peer Educators from 7th to 10th December, 2005 at St. Xavier’s Social Service Society and from 18th to 21st January at Ahmedabad. 79 teachers and 90 peer educators participated in these programmes. The participants were given health education materials like posters, books on HIV/AIDS and adolescents’ health and a CD on HIV/AIDS movies to each school.<br><br>GVHA was selected as Mother NGO under RCH-II for 2 districts of Ahmedabad and Anand under RCH II. Three Field NGOs were shortlisted and recommended by MNGOs to District RCH Society for their approval. GVHA staff got extensive training on MNGO Scheme, BLS & FGD, Data Entry Package, Project Proposal Development, Admn./Finance and Service Delivery Components. Subsequently, MNGO staff gave the same training to its six Field NGOs staff. MNGO with support of FNGOs prepared district-wise composite project proposal and submitted the same to the concerned District RCH Societies for their approval.


Other activities of GVHA included – coordinate the distribution of 19400 kits and instant drink mixture packets of 500 Gram to the flood affected people of Vataman Area with support of Nirmala Seva Society and other member organizations. These were donated by CII. Translation of HCAN issues into Gujarati language and also published small booklet on “Matru Panchkam” on Safe Motherhood and Child Care.