Nalamdana

Author: nalamdana

  • Theatre Training Camps

    Theatre Training Camps

    Funded by UNICEF Chennai – Nalamdana’s Theatre Training Camps are for college and school students as well as community groups. Nalamdana’s core team of experienced actors trains young people in using theatre as tool to address social and health issues.

    UNICEF Chennai funded Nalamdana to train about 100 village volunteers (young men and women) through 2008 and 2009 in the Krishnagiri District of Tamilnadu, which is one of the backward regions in our state. These trained teams have been performing in their village taluks – producing 8 to 10 programs per month August through December 2009. These teams of trained actors can now develop their own programs, creating their own scripts on issues of concern to them.

    Nalamdana will continue to seek funds to support these teams. Training workshops for other groups take place based on funds availability. This program is an ongoing one and will continue through 2010 and further depending on funds.

  • Safe Child Project

    Safe Child Project

    (2008) Funded by Artventure, Singapore – The Safe Child Project is being continued by Nalamdana with their own fund raising.

  • Make Art/Stop AIDS

    Make Art/Stop AIDS

    puzzel(2007-2009) Funded by the Gere Foundation India Trust – Nalamdana holds monthly role plays and full length drama’s at the largest Government hospital for TB and HIV, The Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine (TAMBARAM). Over 1000 patients per day receive free treatment and benefit from our entertaining programs: learning crucial messages on compliance, side effects and simple Do’s and Don’ts conveyed through theatre and mime.

    Nalamdana has also started the novel idea of a Daily CABLE RADIO Program “Thendral” (meaning “breeze” in Tamil), which links over 12 wards and reaches over 250 patients per day with music and information. This radio program, run with the help of participating doctors, counselors and nursing staff, ensures that accurate information is delivered in an ideal mix with Nalamdana’s excellent entertainment education skills. This is a pioneering communication project that helps patients feel better as they get better! Donations are welcome to expand and to reach more wards.

    A detailed external evaluation Report is available with MA/SA Country Director and Nalamdana.

  • Community Health Project

    Community Health Project

    (2007) Funded by the Deshpande Foundation – The Community Health Project was a one year pilot.[

  • Adolescent Health Program

    Adolescent Health Program

    (2002-2007) Funded by Kiawah Trust – Nalamdana facilitated activities relating to RH and HIV.

  • Maternal and Child Health

    Maternal and Child Health

    2001-2006) Funded by Earthwatch Institute, Boston – In partnership with Earthwatch, Nalamdana undertook a unique partnership to create multidisciplinary teams addressing malnourishment. At the time our organizations teamed up, 47% of Indian children under 3 years were malnourished and 52% of Indian women in the age group of 15 – 49 years were anaemic (Source: UNICEF Reports 1999-2002- Challenges & Opportunities).

    Concerned about these alarming statistics, Nalamdana began a Communications Research Project, Food for Thought. The project began with baseline research in the city slums and in villages, to determine the misconceptions and knowledge gaps about nutrition among young mothers and adolescents. This extensive research included information about regional dietary practices, food availability, and household economics. That information allowed Nalamdana to develop alternate solutions in communications strategy and to explore interactive methods of reaching the target audience.

    Nalamdana developed scripts and materials for field testing, after which they were disseminated through strategic partners and other NGOs. The Earthwatch Project was unique in that it worked through support from volunteers from across the globe, who signed up for two weeks at a time and worked with the Nalamdana team in the field. Nalamdana continues to work on this very important issue.

    Though Earthwatch support was concluded in 2006, Nalamdana continues to mainstream the learning into all funded projects and undertakes specific training material making for partner organizations.

    Nalamdana continually seeks funding support for this issue and former Earthwatch volunteers have created a network to help this work and the other needs of Nalamdana. Several city colleges offering nutrition and home science have partnered with Nalamdana in field work, providing their students with practical experience and the opportunity to volunteer on Nalamdana’s urban and rural programs.