MEHAR BABA CHARITABLE TRUST
Bassi Pathana Community Collaborative Development Project (BP-CCDP)
BP-CCDP REPORT OF JUNE VISIT
OF UTAH UNIVERSITY
Main task of the team:
“COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT”
The BASSI PATHANA COLLABORATIVE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (BPCCDP) is the initiative of four partners:
• University of Utah (U of U), Salt Lake City, U.S.A
• PGIMER’s School of Public Health, Chandigarh
• Mehar Baba Charitable Trust, Bassi Pathana
• The Community of 9 Villages Balara, Damheri,
Jallowal, Salar Majra, Lohar Majra Kalan, Majri,
Bagh Sikander, Ferozepur and Fatehgarh-Niuwan.
• The University of Utah (U of U), Salt Lake City, Utah,
USA through its Division of Public Health has shown a
deep interest in the activities of Mehar Baba Charitable
Trust (MBCT). The U of U has a mission of research,
education and service, which is the binding with the
MBCT. Dr. Steve Alder, Chief, Division of Public Health,
Dept. of Family & Preventive Medicine, the U of U, visited
Chandigarh in October 2009 and held preliminary
discussions with MBCT and the School of Public Health
PGIMER, Chandigarh.
• The School of Public Health PGIMER, ever since its
inception has helped in promoting meaningful research,
quality education and yeoman service to the community.
The State of Punjab has benefitted, the recent study of
Rheumatic Fever and Congenital heart defects in children
being one of its efforts. This School of Public Health is
already involved in Fatehgarh Sahib.
The overall objective of the program is to promote community health
development by producing positive, measurable improvements
among rural people experiencing health inequalities, engaging in
partnerships that focus on collaboration and developing community
capacity leading to sustainable outcomes.
The BP-CCDP is based on principles of collaborative community
development with a focus on long-term solutions that promote
community-level self-reliance. This program is founded on the
premise that working with community members to understand,
prioritize and address health and other developmental issues leads
to long-term progress and independence, with the ultimate aim of
having these same communities mentoring others through it's
progression. Using principles from approaches such as CommunityBased Participatory Research and building appropriately scaled
coalitions, the Sustainable Village Program provides a systematic
approach for promoting this type of community development, to
achieve their objective that community of nine villages are taken as
partner
PROGRESS SO FAR
• In 2009, Dr. Steve Alder visited Mehar Baba Charitable Trust and
discussed the possibility of carrying out the project.
• Informal partnership was developed and was implemented when a team
of four members(Dr. Steve Alder, Sharon Talboys, Dr. Benjamin Crookston
and Rick Haskins) from University of Utah, U.S.A again visited MBCT in
October, 2010. The U of U encouraged and succeeded in building up
community of 9 villages as the 4th Partner consisting of population base of
approx. 25000 villagers (Key Contact persons in each village were
nominated).
• A series of community, engagement activities and a survey of one pilot
village “DAMHERI” in March, 2010 have resulted in the prioritization of
sanitation as the main issue to be tackled by the BP-CCDP. Other areas
of interest include water, maternal and child health/nutrition, chronic
diseases, and lifestyle issues. Improved sanitation has the potential to
positively affect health of the whole village by breaking the fecal-oral
transmission of diseases, primarily diarrheal diseases. By reducing
diarrhea, it also reduces the consequences of prolonged diarrhea, such
as malnutrition, stunting, anemia, and cognitive impairments. These
health problems are especially harmful to children and pregnant women.
Issues around water and hygiene can be addressed concurrently with the
sanitation project. It is also important to improve sanitation for reasons
other than health. Community demand is high to improve living conditions
and achieve the convenience and dignity of having improved toilet
facilities.
Continued:
Community Engagement - Sanitation was identified as the top priority of
the targeted villages through a series of community engagement
activities in 2010. MBCT reached out to nine villages based on existing
relationships and convenience to begin BP-CCDP activities, including a
needs assessment through community engagement. Activities included:
 Key Informant/Opinion Leader interviews - Several visits were made by
MBCT team to the targeted villages to engage with community leaders,
such as the sarpanch, panachyat members, village elders, school
teachers, and opinion leaders , young men & Women to gain first-hand
knowledge about community needs and characteristics.
 Community census/survey
• Census of village Damheri in May, 2010
• Demographic, health, socio-economic
• Type of toilet facility
 Village meetings - One type of meeting was ceremonial in nature, where
BP-CCDP members from the Community, PGIMER’s SPH, MBCT and
University of Utah, together, met in a village in October, 2010 where all
were welcome. These meetings were well attended and included men,
women, and in some cases school children. Meeting sizes ranged from
25-100 people. BP-CCDP members were welcomed and a BP-CCDP
banner was displayed.
Continued:
• Community forum - In addition to village meetings, a
community forum/workshop or Focus Groups was
held that targeted village leaders, managers,
government workers, community health and social
workers, and other dignitaries. Approximately 60
people were in attendance. The full day meeting
was held at MBCT's community development centre
in Bassi-Pathana on 14th October, 2010 and
included presentations and facilitated discussions
led by University of Utah and PGIMER, SPH. and
included guest speakers.
Continued:
• A household community survey activity in 9 villages was
started in April 2011 by MBCT medical volunteers (a team of
8 to 10 members) and was completed in the end of May.
• The 22 members team consisting of Doctors and Phd.
Students from University of Utah along with PGIMER’S
SPH. with the support of MBCT and Community partners
of 9 villages launched the BP-CCDP on 1st of June,
2011 and carried out the activities till 22nd June, 2011.
• Dr. Jim Vanderslice (U of U) prepared a Database
Software for the household surveys carried out by MBCT
volunteers which is in progress electronically. The primary
data was entered into the database by U of U students
with the support of MBCT Volunteers in June 2011.
BP-CCDP
University of Utah’s Team
Jim VanDerslice, Anita M. Leopardi, Sharon Talboys, T.P. Singh, Isabella Alder, Meghan
Arnold, Lauren Elizabeth Bartsch, Jared Blackley, Adrienne Henderson, WafaKadoura,
Harjit Kaur (Indian Origin), Manpreet Kaur (Indian Origin), Melissa Larson, Tiffany Law,
Robin Moore, Christopher Orlando, Melissa Sperry and Robin Tillery
PGIMER’S School of Public Health Team
Rajesh Kumar, Binod Patro, P.V.M. Lakshmi, Davinder, Kshitiz.
Mehar Baba Charitable Volunteer’s Team
(Headed by Hassan Mejie)
Dr. P.S. Jassi, Alfred Mejie, Bawa Singh, Robin Gupta, Ajay Malhotra, P. S. Mann, Sandeep
Kumar, Ved Dogra, Manjeet Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Harjit Kaur
Supported By:
Kiran Bala, Hema Panesar, Amandeep Kaur, Sandeep Sharma, Sukhjinder Virk
Community of 9 Villages – Our BP-CCDP Key Contact
Persons
Damheri, Salar Majra, Jallowal, Lohar Majra Kalan, Fatehgarh Niuwan, Majri, Bagh
Sikander, Ferozepur and Balara
Arrival of Utah’s Delegates
Advisor Hassan Mejie reviewing the
BP-CCDP at Village Balara
• The University of Utah’s team of 18
members, including senior professor
and Phd. Students arrived on May
30th& 31st at New Delhi. Than they
were escorted to Chandigarh by
MBCT Volunteer and arrived on June
1st in the afternoon at UT Guest
House, 3 of the team leaders
(Dr.Jim, Anita and Sharon Talboys)
along with Dr. T.P.Singh, Dr. P.S.
Jassi, Hassan Mejie & Alfred Mejie
came to Fatehgarh Sahib to have
discussions
with
the
Deputy
Commissioner (Mr.Yashvir Mahajan)
about the BP-CCDP and seek his
permission to proceed with the
same.
Community Development Pilot Project Launched
The BP-CCDP team at Village Balara
• BP-CCDP was launched on 2nd of
June, 2011 at village Balara at 9:00am
in the morning. The Utah team
delegates
headed
by
Dr.
Jim
Vanderslice were introduced to the
villagers by Dr. T.P Singh and Mr.
Hassan Mejie and they were warmly
welcomed by the villagers (They were
Garlanded) The villagers were also
briefed about the activities which were
to follow by Dr. Jim Vanderslice and his
team. After the introduction and
welcome ceremony, the collaborated
teams went around the village.
Afterwards the team visited the Civil
Hospital at Fatehgarh Sahib where they
checked on the facilities and services
being provided. On their way back to
Bassi Pathana they visited Community
Health Centre, Bassi Pathana and SubHealth Centre, Dhunda.
Community Development Pilot Project Launched
• On the same vary day a Seminar on “GENDER
EQUALITY & HEALTH” was organized at MHKCDC,
Bassi Pathana. The Seminar commenced after Lunch
at 2:00pm Dr. Harshinder Kaur a renowned speakers
presented her views on the above said topic. Her 40
minutes views were hair raising. Mr. R.K. Taneja also
enlightened the Utah team and the guests with his
knowledgeable views followed by an interactive
session between Dr. Harshinder and Utah team,
which was covered by the press. The day’s activity
came to an end and the team left for Chd.
MBCT Trustees & Advisors along with Dr. Jim
honouring Dr. Harshinder Kaur & Dr. Ramnik Kaur
Village Visits / Surveys
• Bagh Sikander, Ferozpur and
Damheri were visited on 3rd June,
2011 by the Utah team. The team
was welcomed and garlanded by
the villagers. The team split into
different smaller groups and
talked to people of different
economic and social status. The
questions mentioned in the
questionnaires were asked. After
collecting the complete data
verbally, the team headed back to
MBCT for Lunch. After Lunch the
Utah team compiled their verbal
data of the day and discussed
further plans among themselves.
After their discussions they went
back to chd.
Village meeting of Dr. Jim, T.P Singh with
Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal at Village Damheri
Visit at Village Bagh Sikander
HISTORIC TOUR – A TRAIL BY TONGAS
• On 5th June, MBCT designed a
Trail by Tongas - a Historic Tour of
Mughal Era Majestic Buildings
around Fatehgarh Sahib for the
Utah Team. The team was
received at Aam Khas Baag,
where they were shown Historical
Mughal Architecture (how the
rooms
were
air-conditioned
without electricity), from there the
team travelled on Tongas which
were
hired
by
MBCT
to
Gurduwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib
thereafter to Todar Mall Di Haveli.
Than the Tonga Caravan carrying
the Utah team had a stop over at
Roza Sharief then on to the
Monument behind Talania (Tomb
of Ustad & Shagird), where Tea
and Snacks were organised.
The U of U Dignitaries on Tongas
At Aam Khas Bagh
Gurudwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib
Historic Tour – A Trail by Tongas
Tomb of Ustad at Talanian
Roza Shariff at F.G.S
• This is the vision of Prof. H.S.
Mejie keeping in mind that
many foreign visitors we have
at Bassi Pathana. As a spin
off, it would create an addition
to the economy and serve as
an extra source of income to
the people living in rural
Punjab. The tour came to a
halt at 4:30pm and the team
headed back to there resting
grounds at chd.
Tomb of Ustad at Talanian
Water Sampling and GPS Mapping
Water Sample testing by Sharon
Talboys from Village Hand pump
Meghan Arnold (from U of U) discussing map with
MBCT and village volunteers at Fatehgarh Niuwan
• On 6th June village Damheri, on 7th June
village Jallowal, Salar majra and on 8th
June village Fatehgarh Niuwan were
surveyed, along with the collection of
water samples and GPS mapping. Different
teams were formed. Half of the teams
went around collecting samples of water
from different water sources (Hand Pumps,
Submersible Pumps, Govt. Water Supply,
Ponds and community water sources), the
remaining half of groups went around the
outer-skirts and main inner streets of the
villages doing GPS mapping. All this
became easy to do because of the
hardwork put in by the MBCT volunteers
earlier when they did household surveys of
all the shortlisted 9 villages. The mapping
and numbering of the houses done by
them really made it very convenient to
organize the going about in the villages.
Different teams were provided with a
village guide who would take them to
different locations and houses.
Seminar on Convergence of Services for the Rural Development
• On 8th of June, after Lunch a Seminar was organized on
“CONVERGENCE OF SERVICES FOR THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT”
was held at MHKCDC, where professional dignitaries from different
govt. departments of the district participated. The Chief Guest Mrs.
Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Chairperson, District Planning Board, FGS.
Dr. Gurinder Kaur Brar, District Medical Commissioner enlightened
the audience and the Utah University team from U.S.A about
“Rashtriya Suraksha Bima Yojna” (RSBY), the Central Govt.
insurance scheme for the BPL families and many other important
insurance schemes in detail, followed by Dr. Maninder Bajwa,
District School Health Officer, she spoke about the incentives given
under various health programs given under National Rural Health
Mission and as well detailed about the functioning of the Asha
Workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (A.N.M) and also commended
the improvement in Gender Ratio from 766 to 843 per 1000 males
in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
Seminar Continued…
• Than S.D.O water supply,
Mr. Sumit Aggarwal told the
audience of their various schemes in which supply of water
in villages is being provided and as well about the future
plans of his department. Pension schemes by the state govt.
to the rural old age and urban old age, handicapped pension,
widow pension and orphan pension schemes were
elaborated in detail with facts and figures by Mr. Varinder
Singh Bains, District Social Security Officer. The last speaker
Mr. Naresh Kumar, Assistant Research Officer, Economic and
Statistics explained about the working of the District
Planning Committee and their forthcoming projects. The
total financing done till date by the planning committee is
around 332 Crores of Rupees to different departments since
their commencement as per A.S.O.
Water Sampling and GPS Mapping
• On 9th June, 2011 Lohar Majra
Kalan was visited, surveyed,
collection of water samples
and GPS mapping by the Utah
team. Following the same
pattern of asking questions
from the people belonging to
different economic classes
and having different lifestyles.
• On 10th, 11th and 12th of June,
the team went for a pleasure
trip to Dharmshala / Maclout
Ganj. The team came back
from Dharmshala on 12th
June, 2011.
•
On 13th June, two different teams were formed. One team
was to function at MBCT doing data entry of the household
surveys. These household surveys were done by MBCT
volunteers in the shape of Household Survey Forms, which
were filled earlier by them, when they had gone to survey the
9 villages. The second team went to village Balara to collect
water samples and do GPS mapping. Procedure adopted
earlier was followed. After Lunch, the team which went to the
villages stayed back and joined the data entry team to enter
the primary data. Earlier in the morning Dr. Jim Vanderslice
uploaded the database software on the Server of S.G.S.S
Learning Centre and also trained the members of his team
and MBCT Volunteers. Dr. Jim and Anita left for New-Delhi
(their flight to salt lake, U.S.A was in the evening) after
attending a meeting with Prof. H.S. Mejie, Mr. A.S. Chatha, Mr.
Hassan Mejie, Mr. Alfred Mejie, Dr. T.P. Singh and Sharon
Talboys, in which future action plan was discussed.
Manpreet Kaur and Tiffany Law
(from U of U) collecting information
from Village Elder Lady
Water Sampling and GPS Mapping
• On 14th, village Bagh Sikander was visited. Along with
collection of water sampling and GPS mapping, Focus
Group discussions were also held (talking to youth of both
sexes ageing between 18 to 25 years, from different
economical status). Five groups were formed out of which
two for collecting water sampling, one for GPS mapping
and two stayed back to do focus group discussions. Same
activities with the same groups were performed on 15th
June at village Ferozepur and on 16th June at village Majri.
On all these days, the teams stayed back at MBCT after
lunch to do the primary data entry.
Meghan Arnold &
Wakafdoura (from U of
U) collecting Water
Samples in village Bagh
Sikander
• On 17th June, no
field work was
performed by the
Utah team instead
the complete team
did enter the
primary data.
Visit of Tracy Evans
• On 19th June, a program was organized at MBCT
Hockey Nursery Grounds to honour Tracy Evans, 3
time winter Olympic Gold Medalist in Skiing and
President of a NGO by the name of “Kids Play
International” from U.S.A. She arrived at MBCT
Hockey Nursery Grounds at 7:00am along with the
Utah University team headed by Sharon Talboys
(Utah University, Associate Director and Co-Director
India Study Abroad).
Tracy Evans met with Dhyan Chand Brigade
Tracy Evans with Rani Jhansi Brigade
•
Tracy Evans personally met all the players of the
MBCT Hockey Nursery and encouraged them by
giving her own examples that how she struggled and
achieved the glory. This was a big boost for the small
kids, who were able to personally interact with such a
great personality. She was very impressed by the
services of MBCT towards the upliftment of the
Indian National Game “HOCKEY” and was astonished
to see that players ages 5 yrs. onwards could play
such skilled “HOCKEY”. She also praised the coaches
who had given such skills to the adolescents and
especially to the committed coach Hansraj Chhabra
who being so busy had his devotion for the players.
Visit of Tracy Evans
The U of U
students
playing
games with
village Kids
Sharon Talboys met with Rani Jhansi Brigade
Visit of Tracy Evans
S
School
Importance of an Education
P
Physical
Fitness
Healthy Living
O
Opportunity
Equality for both Girls & Boys
R
Respect
Yourself and those around you
T
Teamwork
Working Together
S
Self-Esteem
Building Confidence
Presentation of Reports
• On the basis of the hardwork done from 2nd June
till 17thJune different reports were compiled and
village presentations were delivered by Utah
team and MBCT volunteers to all the 9 villages.
The complete teams went to different villages
and formed two groups, one group headed by
Sharon Talboys and Meghan Arnold presented
the reports to the villagers numbering 60 to 80
people mostly adults and seniors of the village.
In the presentations the villagers were told that
the report of their village will be translated in
Dr. T.P. Singh and Sharon Talboys presenting
Punjabi and will be delivered to the Sarpanch/
Reports at Village Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Niuwan
Key Contact person. The second group headed by
Tracy Evans and Robin Moore took all the village
kids (age between 5 yrs to 12 yrs) to an adjoining
playground of the School or the Gurdwara where
the presentations were being held. Different
activities were performed involving the kids such
as Merry Go around, Speaking Rhymes, playing
games, singing songs through which certain
messages were passed on to kids .
Presentation of Reports
Presenting Reports at Village Bagh Sikander
Dr. T.P. Singh and Sharon Talboys presenting
Reports at Village Bagh Sikander
• On 18th June, village presentations
were delivered at Jallowal, Salar Majra
before Lunch and Fategarh Niuwan
after
Lunch.
On
20th
June,
presentations were held at Ferozepur,
Bagh Sikander and on 21st June
presentations were held at Lohar
Majra Kalan and Majri. After Lunch on
21st June, Utah team held a meeting
with all the MBCT volunteers along
with Mr. Alfred Mejie in which the
memories of 20 days were shared and
also the plans to follow in future.
Whole the Utah team was very
emotional and had tears in their eyes
before parting.
Contents of the Report
• Priorities
• Health Indicators
•
•
•
•
•
Socio-Economic
Health conditions
Maternal Child Health
Health System
Determinants of
Health
• Environmental
indicators
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water Quality
Drainage/Sewerage
Sanitation/Hygiene
Toilet facilities
Solid waste
Indoor air quality
• Recommendations
• Fact Sheets
Priorities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water
Ponds
Sanitation
Child nutrition and prevention of diarrhea
Drug use
Chronic diseases
Health system improvements
Educational and extracurricular activities for young
people
Economics
ECONOMY
You will get a detailed report on
• Income levels
• Wealth index
• % Below Poverty Line without a BPL card
• Type of home construction
Social Aspects
• Young people value their traditions and culture and
religion.
• Want a better future for the next generation
• Want to combat social ills
• Want more education
• Examples of cooperation: Getting person to hospital,
coming together for festivals, helping a poor person with
healthcare costs
Health Indicators
• Child mortality (under 5) rate in Rural Punjab : 53/1000*
• Child nutrition
• 80% under age 3 are anemic
• 25% under age 3 are underweight
• 35% under age 3 are stunted
• Diarrhea
Causes of Childhood illness
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Poor sanitation;
Open defecation;
Poor hygiene;
Contaminated drinking water sources;
Insufficient iron and nutrition intake;
High prevalence of Hookworms among children;
Low education level and health awareness of mothers
Water Quality – all villages
• Bacteria is often found in the water that can make
villagers sick.
• About 1 out of 3 wells had these bacteria.
• This can be a serious problem. These bacteria can make
you sick, and cause diarrhea, especially in children.
• Bacteria found in all types of water: electric submersible
pumps, hand pumps and from government water that
had been stored.
• The bacteria can come from latrines, or the sewage
seeping into the ground.
Water Quality Results - All
• The storage tanks might be dirty and causing some of the
problems. Also in some areas the groundwater is bad and has
bacteria.
• The bacteria are not always present, but for some wells, they
can be there one day, and not the next day.
• Cleaning the storage tanks might be a good idea.
• Some of the hand pumps also had high levels of nitrate. This
can be dangerous for babies. If possible water from hand
pumps should not be given to babies younger than 6 months.
Drainage and Ponds
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Maps will be provided that include
Streets
Village landmarks
Community buildings
Boundaries
Some water sources
Drainage map
• Needs further study
Village Projects
• Water
• Sanitation/drainage
• Ponds
• Health Education
• Nutrition
• Drug use
• Activities for young people
• Others?.....
How to proceed
Community:
• Consider all the information and determine
which projects to pursue
• Identify local resources (money, labour,
materials, etc)
• Identify a village champion of the effort
• Collaborate with BP-CCDP. Ask questions,
request more information
How to proceed
University of Utah, MBCT, PGI-SPH:
• Take up these issues with the Minister of Parliament Local
Area Development (MPLAD) project and planning boards
• Provide further report details, maps, and
recommendations
• MBCT: To help carry out interventions
• MBCT/UoU: To provide training of trainers and support
health education efforts
• Fill the gap
TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!
BP-CCDP
THANKS