23 April, 2016
A free medical health camp for the community was organised on 23 April 2016 at Mawlynnong Village, East Khasi Hills. The camp was organised in collaboration with the Youth of the Church of North India, Shillong. The camp had 10 Doctors in the fields of General Medicine, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Eye Specialist, Dentist, Psychiatrist and Counsellors. Free physical examinations along with free blood sugar, blood pressure, and ECG tests were provided. The Camp also had an IOHLYNTI stall in which all the women and youth were referred to by Doctors for Counselling. Doctors advised them on various medicines and consultations during the camp. The camp was successfully organised and supervised under the guidance of the Church of North India, Shillong.
Ainam, Persara and Joy were introduced to the Seng Kynthei of Mawlynngong and to the teachers of the village school. Joy and Ainam spoke to the members of the Seng Kynthei on NEN’s work and Iohlynti. We talked about the importance of gender and gave them an understanding of VAW. The women said that no DV cases take place, but the issues they face relate to substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. Though they said that there was no DV, they listened intently to our talk and even asked for the NEN’s pamphlets and the Khasi DV bare Act. They have asked us to come and hold awareness sessions with them and in their schools.
Persara spoke to the teachers about life skills and they found it very useful. These are everyday challenges that they face with their students. The two teachers who initially approached us brought some more teachers to listen to life skills education.
Our follow up action from this Health Camp will be to work along with the women of Mawlynngong and the teachers on awareness programmes and maybe later carrying out a survey on VAW for data collection.
