Blog

Since its launch in early 2014, Thendral, a Nalamdana-supported community radio station has been broadcasting on a range of health and social issues to the greater Neelankarai community, reaching nearly 28,500 listeners daily through 16 hours of continuous programming. Thendral’s audience has grown by leaps and bounds, as has the extent of community involvement in the station. One of its programs, Magale Unakkaga (This One’s For You, Daughter!), was featured in a leading Chennai newspaper, The Hindu, earlier this month (see here). Designed and produced by women from the Chinna Nilangarai Kuppam fishing community, the program explores issues affecting women living in the community through expert interviews, skits, songs, and quizzes. Magale Unakkaga symbolizes Thendral’s vision of a community radio that is truly driven and owned by the community.

Eight-year old Uma is transfixed by the puppets and the entertaining show she watches at her school. As she laughs and enjoys the story, she also internalizes important information and skills about the proper use of toilets and the importance of hand washing. This entertaining and informative outreach campaign was accompanied a drive by Rotary Club of Madras Coromandel (RCMC) and Rotary Club of Madras to build toilet facilities in public schools in Chennai and its surrounding areas. These clubs funded Nalamdana’s creative team to develop and implement the communication interventions to ensure proper use and sustained maintenance of these newly-built toilets. Nalamdana has staged 128 puppet shows already in schools all across the city. Children themselves have become champions to advocate toilet use in their own communities.

The Micro Finance Corporation of India (Madura Group) has been collaborating with Nalamdana to help reach their women’s self-help groups in rural areas across India. A series of ten short films on specific health issues are being created to be screened for the women when they come together for their micro-finance meetings in the communities. The topics include fevers, cough and throat issues, back pain, vision problems, diabetes, blood pressure, head ache and basic health, hygiene and nutrition issues.

Through film screening and facilitated discussions, Nalamdana continues to reach out to vulnerable children in government schools. Partnering with eBay and World Vision, Nalamdana team screened Maya Changu the film on child abuse in 15 schools between Sep 2018 and March 2018. Two film screenings on Alcoholism on demand were also held in two community locations. Total audience reached was 4850 children and adults.