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DEVELOPMENT The organisations BHUMI and CAST attempt to make sure that everyone gets an opportunity to lead a healthy life. N. NIVEDITA

The usually empty Labour Community Centre is bustling with activity as infants aged 4-9 months from Rasoolpura (the biggest slum in Hyderabad) are going through the Development Delay Assessment Programme. The programme is the initiative of a Hyderabad-based NGO, BHUMI along with an UK-based NGO CAST (Child and adolescent Support Team). CAST, chaired by Vicky Eyre, is a part of the non-profit organisation LIFE (Life Improvement for Everyone). Established in Romania, the organisation boasts of highly committed students, who have associated themselves with orphanages, organisations to improve the life of needy children and youngsters. Having equipped their volunteers with special medical training, they aim to spread a healthy living. The Development Delay Assessment assays the motor and mental development of the children.

Assessment

The development of a child is assessed using simple household items like different type of textures of cloth, bottle quarter-filled with dal. The way the child reacts to various materials is studied and the appropriate measures are prescribed by the trained specialists. With a model of a pendulum, neatly done using a bangle and a thread, Pavani, a young mother at Rasoolpura slum was happy to learn that her baby’s eye sight is completely normal.The young mothers voice a common opinion that the programme has brought out a noticeable change in their babies by bantam actions like carrying their babies by their waist which helps them to reach out and grab many things and allowing them to search for their favourite toy, in the process, they explore extravagantly. “Using such simple yet effective techniques, the child grows to be more inquisitive, attentive and active” explains Mary Silson, Volunteer project coordinator for Bulgaria, CAST.The volunteers who channel information between the Mother and the UK specialists and the organizations like Operation Eyesight, FPA and SIDUR have been great contributors to this cause. In a span of 45 days they have conducted tests on children from various parts of Rasoolpura slum.

Enthusiasm

“The mothers are very enthusiastic. They want to learn more and more about their babies. Of the 290 children who have undergone these tests, only 30 children need special attention,” gleams Haylee Lee, the Founder and Co-Director of LIFE.The healthcare programme does not limit to the child healthcare. The programme involves training for effective field work, constant involvement of the residents and professionals from various medical disciplines. BHUMI aided with CAST aims to introduce a healthy life into the slums like Rasoolpura.

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