Darjeeling Mary Ward Social Centre - Loreto

On 22nd November 2023, a networking meeting under the Legal Aid Project was conducted at the Sonachandi Health Centre in Khoribari Block, where stakeholders from various government line departments participated, along with the coordinator, programme officer, supervisor, and barefoot lawyer. Around 45 were present. The meeting started with a welcome address by the ANM (Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife). The main objective of the meeting was to inform the members (ASHA, ANM, ICDS Supervisor, and health staff) about the legal-aid project that is running in four tea gardens under Khoribari block, with a special focus on child rights issues and child protection.

On November 8, 2023, a one-day “capacity building training for girl’s empowerment group” under the Safe Migration project was conducted at DMWSC Training Hall, where 30 AGG, along with field associates and animators, were present. The session was conducted by the resource person, Ayushma Labrang. Topics covered during the session were:

• Understanding Human Trafficking.
• Root causes and risk factors of human trafficking.
• Leadership and advocacy.
• Role of Leadership in Combating Human Trafficking and Child Marriage.
• Vulnerabilities of adolescent girls in semi-urban and rural areas/tea garden areas.
• Action Plan and Awareness Campaign with Group Activity.

Sessions were conducted in a participatory way, through group work and presentations and showing them videos, followed by question-and-answer sessions. It was very interactive, and all the adolescent girls, field staff, and animators enjoyed the training and learned a lot.

On November 19, 2023, International Child Rights Day was conducted by the Collective Voice Project at Bagdogra T.E. Around 300 community people participated in this programme from three tea gardens: Bagdogra, Sannyasi, and Singhiajhora. Children groups from the 3 areas performed group dances, skits, and two games that were also organised for the children. One game was a math race, and the other was a spoon goli game. The children were so happy and enjoyed both games. The resource person spoke about the four pillars of child rights and also gave some speech on the importance of this day, and lastly, some game activities and prize distribution were conducted. The main objective of the programme was to ensure that children have the right to live, develop, be safe.

On November 22, staff training was conducted for safe migration at Lamahatta Eco Park. Altogether, 13 staff, including the coordinator, programme officer, and case officer, were present. The session was conducted by the SM coordinator and case officer. Topics that were covered during the training were child protection policies. It was interactive, through a question-and-answer session. The case officer also gave some suggestions to be followed while handling any child incident, like contacting ChildLine, CWC, the police station, DMWSC office, and case office/CPO.

On November 14th, 17th, and 18th, Children’s Day and Child Rights Day were celebrated by the Safe Migration Project at Kiranchandra T.E. with 150 participants, Moonee T.E. (Hansqua, Moonee, and Taipoo T.E.) with 200 participants, and O.R.D. T.E. (Trihana, Kamalpur, and O.R.D. T.E.) with 130 participants (including children, youth, community people and stakeholders). The objective was to observe Child Rights Week, celebrate the day in a colourful way, and also make the children aware of their rights as well as those of their parents. The coordinator and case officer of DMWSC shared about the importance of the day as well as the importance of children in society. They were also made aware of the four basic child rights.

On November 6th and 7th, 2023, two days of capacity-building training were conducted for the youth and mother group under the Collective Voice project. The participants were from Bagdogra T.E., Sannyasi T.E., and Singhiajhora T.E. The main objective of the training was to build capacity. The resource person for the programme was Binita Lakra, from the project area of Bagdogra T.E. The first day, she discussed the theory session and showed them the process of making candles. On the second day, the practice session and interactive session were done between the participants and the resource person. A total of 26 participants and all the field staff, including the animator, were present during the training programme.

Menstrual Hygiene Management Project organized an exposure visit cm networking meeting in Hayden Hall, Darjeeling, On November 3rd 2023, in partnership with DLR Prerna, Darjeeling. The programme included twenty-four participants, and the sessions were led by Ms. Anamika and Mr. Sailesh from DLR Prerna. The subjects covered included overcoming community taboos concerning menstruation, improving women's health, and discussing the general position of women in the tea gardens of the hills and the plains. This exposure tour has increased the staff's knowledge and comprehension of women's situations in various areas, as well as how to deal with taboos and eradicate them from society. And they were also successful in forming a network for future collaborations and marketing of the DMWSC manufactured reusable sanitary napkins.

On 6th and 7th October 2023, vegetable seeds were distributed under Collective Voice Project in Bagdogra, Sannyasi, and Singhiajhora Tea Estate project areas. Seeds of carrot, beans, red radish, fenugreek, green chilli, capsicum, spinach, green peas, and coriander were distributed to 160 community people. They were interested in planting all the seeds in their area. It was a very helpful initiative for the beneficiaries. They can plant vegetables and produce their own food, increasing their nutrition and food security.

On the Eve of "International Girl Child Day"11th October a Walkathon and short awareness program was organised by NBCRN Partners in collaboration with Siliguri Police Commissionarate. Almost 120 Children & Youth, along with Teachers from different schools of Siliguri and tea plantation areas, along with NGO representatives were present. ADCP(Traffic) Smt.Purnima Sherpa & RI of police were present to address the participants.

On 8th October Ethical Enterprise Initiative for Youth on Jute Product (EEIY SJP) conducted a training program on leadership and group motivation at DMWSC. The participants were from Sukna, Dagapur, Gulma and Panighata Tea Estates. Recourse person for the program was Fr. Alvin Minj, during the session he shared about his successful experiences and also explained about leadership. Around 70 participants were present during the session along with EEIY teachers.

On 28th September 2023, Workshop on Gender Sensitization was conducted for the staffs and youth group under Collective Voice project. Around 30 Youth participated in the workshop and they were from Bagdogra T.E, Sannyasi T.E & Singhiajhora T.E. Coordinator conducted the session regarding the gender issues along with Resource person, Field Animator and Field Staff.
The main objective of the workshop was to spread awareness about gender issues and provide an environment with gender equity. Resource person of the program was Ayushma Labrang.
She conducted the session through some game, video presentation and circle story. Total 50 participants were present during the program along with staffs, animators and field staffs.

On the 30th of September 2023, Menstrual Hygiene Management Project organised school awareness on MHM in Matigara Balika Bidyalaya, Matigara, with approximately 150 participants including faculty members. This awareness program was organised by the coordinator along with two field animators, field staffs.
The goal of this awareness programme was to educate students about menstruation and enlighten them about healthy menstrual hygiene practises so that they can learn the basics and spread awareness among other peer groups and family members, and by teaching them about these things in the early stages of development and growth.

On 27th September a Networking Meeting was conducted under Safe Migration Project at Upper-Bagdogra G.P office with Stakeholders (ASHA, ANM, Health workers, SHGs members, Panchayet members, UpPradhan, Secretary & ICDS Supervisor). Around 45 were present. Topic of Discussion: Strengthening CPC & its importance. Sharing about Organization activities. Discussion about Child Marriage, POCSO, Cyber crime, Domestic Violence. The session was conducted by the Case officer, Coordinator & Animator. Supported by Field associates and Interns. It was a very interactive Meeting supported by the gram panchayet secretary and other staffs. Stakeholders also shared their experience and incidence happenings in the areas. It was also being shared by the case officer/PLV about the legal services clinic that runs in the centre at Champasari on every Tuesday & Friday, where free counselling is being provided.

On 22nd of September, 2023, Menstrual Hygiene Management Project organised school awareness on MHM in Miriam High School, Kheribari with approximately 250 participants including two faculty members. This awareness program was organised by the coordinator along with 2 field animators and 2 field staffs from Fulbari T.E and Painikumari T.E.
The objective of this awareness programme was to educate the students about menstruation and healthy menstrual hygiene practises so that they could learn the fundamentals and improve awareness among other peer groups and family members. As we educate the next generation about these topics during their teenage years of development and growth, this leads to a future in which the taboo and stigma surrounding menstruation are no longer present.

On 16th September 2023, A health check-up camp was conducted under Collective Voice project at Singhiajhora T.E. About 200 beneficiaries from 3 tea estates of Bagdogra, Sannyasi, and Singhiajhora attended the camp. It was organised in collaboration with Jesu Ashram. Two doctors from the hospital along with nurses and DMWSC staff were present.
The camp's objectives were to offer free medical care to everyone in the community and to increase people's awareness of health issues. In order to work on resolving their issues, evaluate the living circumstances and identify the difficulties they face.

On 12th, 13th and 14th September 2023, School awareness program was conducted by Legal Aid project in the Schools of Khoribari circle, Khoribari JR Hindi High School, Taraknath Sindurbala Girls High school, Adhikari Krishnakanta High School, and Khoribari High School. Where around 850 students from class VII – XII were present along with the teachers. The program was conducted by the coordinator of Legal-aid project along with Animator of SM project and Program officer.
The objectives of the session were to sensitize the children on Cyber Crime, Child sexual abuse and child labour issues, through video Presentation and verbal sessions/discussions.
The students as well as the teachers were very supportive of this initiative and they hope to get more of such programs in the future as well in order to educate the students and spread awareness.

On 25th September 2023, Menstrual Hygiene management conducted the Adolescent Awareness at Loreto School in Panighatta along with the MHM new Coordinator, EEIY Coordinator and field associate of MHM.
Objective of the program was to educate participants on menstrual hygiene management and healthy menstruation. It also aims to raise their awareness of the value of good cleanliness in their daily life, remove the stigmas associated with menstruation and advertised the reusable sanitary napkins in front of participants. Program was done in Participatory method. Adolescent Girls also showcased their interest to know about menstruation. Total participant were more than 70.

On the 13th September 2023, Menstrual Hygiene Management organised one day training for adolescent girls and self-help group members on motivation and leadership on menstrual hygiene management. The resource person for the training was Ms Ayushma Labrang (Coordinator/In charge Red Light Area Project HDNM Ngo), and the participants were adolescent girls and SHG members from all the 08 project areas.
Objective of the training was to equip and develop a cadre of master of trainers who will help DMWSC advance the MHM project in their particular communities in order to meet the community's requirements. The program’s other goal was to teach the participants how to open stalls and communicates key information when selling reusable sanitary products.

On 9th September 2023,Menstrual Hygiene Management conducted a networking meeting at Panighatta Cluster Office. The program's goal was to spread awareness of cloth sanitary napkins and how they might be sold from home, as well as to continue selling them through self-help groups after the experiment was finished. There were more than 60 participants in total at the program.

On 8th September, 2023 Staff Capacity building Training was conducted for the staffs of Collective Voice, safe Migration & Legal-aid project on Handling cases specially Child Marriage, Documentation, Reporting, Photography & legal issue basically on POCSO Act. The resource person for the day was Mr.Arun Mishra (Special PP POCSO, Siliguri Sub-divisional Court). Session on Documentation & photography was taken by the Program Officer & Coordinators, and handling cases on child marriage was taken by the Case officer.

On 7th of September, 2023 Gender Sensitization workshop was conducted under Safe Migration project, where 18 youths(Boys-7 & girl-11), along with 2 interns, animator & field associates from 7 tea field areas had participated. The session was conducted by Miss. Margret Horo & Koushik Roy Chowdhury. Main topic of discussion was Gender Equality, Gender disparity and situations that occurs due to it. Session was conducted through participatory way by PPT, followed by group work separately “To draw Pictures of Boy & Girl”. A video was also show on Gender “Mission Mushkan”. It was a very interactive session, where youths actively participated. A Session on “Youth Leadership Role according to gender was also shared.

On 6th September 2023, Entrepreneurship Development Training for youth on jute products held at DMWSC centre. Around 50 youths were gathered for the Entrepreneurship Development Training. The participants were from Gulma T.E and Sukna T.E along with the jute teachers. Objective of the program was to understand and share about cybercrime and several related issues among the participants and motivate them to develop small enterprises and become self-sufficient.

"Good teachers build knowledge, great teachers build characters. Happy Teacher's Day to all the wonderful teachers!"

On 25th of August 2023, School awareness Program was conducted in Naxalbari Nand Prasad Girls H.S, for the students of class V & VI. Objective of the session was to focus on Child labour, child abuse and cybercrime issues among the students, by sharing them on the issue. How they can keep safe and what is good touch & bad touch, also it is important to know. Prevention of child labour is also an important issue to highlight and reduce drop-out rates. Also sharing the incident of cyber crime. Almost 240 students were present along with teachers.

On 26th August 2023, Health Awareness camp was conducted by Collective Voice in Bagdogra T.E. in collaboration with Holy Palace Christian Hospital. The objective was to identify and address health issues in the community, to promote preventive healthcare and reduce the incidence of diseases and to provide access to medical care and treatment. Around 110 people attended the health camp from Bagdogra T.E, Sannyasi T.E, and Singhiajhora T.E. sugar test, pressure measurement, regular health check up were done during the health awareness camp and free medicines were also distributed.

On 26th of August 2023, A networking meeting under Legal-aid project was conducted at Binnabari G.P Office, under Khoribari block where stakeholders from various govt. line dept. participated, in the presence of G.P Supervisor, along with Case Officer of DMWSC, coordinator of legal Aid project and Safe Migration project and other field staffs. Around 50 participants were present. Objective of the meeting was to aware the members of ASHA, ANM, ICDS Supervisor, health staffs, SHGs representatives about the Legal-aid project that is running in 4 tea gardens under Khoribari block, with special focus on Child Rights issues, Human Trafficking and Child Protection.

On 25th August 2023, Adolescent girls awareness was conducted under Menstrual Hygiene Management project in Loreto School, Panighatta among the girls of class V to X. The session was conducted by the coordinators of the project trough video presentation on healthy menstrual cycles and PPT. More than 100 adolescent girls attended the session.

On 21st August 2023, Menstrual Hygiene Management Project conducted one day training for the project staffs. The objectives of this training was to evaluate the progress of the project during the first six months of the implementation period and to enhance their knowledge and skills and clarify their doubts and queries so that they can go back to the field and better resolve beneficiaries’ queries and concerns. This training was delivered by the Coordinators of Menstrual Hygiene Management Project, the coordinator of Safe Migration Project, and the case officer of DMWSC.

On 21st of August 2023, Legal Awareness was conducted under Legal Aid project in Sonachandi Tea Estate, Factory line. There were more than 80 participants were present. The session was conducted by coordinator on Domestic Violence and child Marriage issue through the video presentation to community people.

On 23rd August 2023, Legal awareness session for the community people was conducted in Kamalpur T.E, Baraline under Safe Migration project were almost 60 participants were present. The session was conducted by the case officer on child marriage and domestic violence issues of the society, The awareness was conducted through video presentation followed the discussion by project coordinator and animator.

On 19th and 20th August 2023, International Youth Day was celebrated under Safe Migration project in Trihana and Moonee Tea Estate with the theme "Green Skills for Youth Towards a Sustainable World" where youths from 7 tea plantation areas along with community people and stakeholders had participated. The program started with welcome address by the animator, followed b opening speech by field associate, and different performances by the youths. Session on cyber crime was also given by case officer. The stakeholders like panchayat members, village leaders, AWW, ASHA, and school teachers shared there valuable words for the youths. more then 200 participants were present.

On the 11th, 14th and 16th of August, 2023, Menstrual Hygiene Management conducted its first lot of distribution of reusable sanitary napkins in Gangaram T.E, Hansqua T.E, and Bagdogra T.E, Nischintapur T.E, Sanyasi T.E, Singhijhora T.E, Fulbari T.E, and Painikumari T.E. This distribution was conducted by the coordinator along with the field animators and field associates. The objective of this distribution was, to aware the beneficiaries about the DMWSC reusable sanitary napkins and educate them on its uses and process of cleaning and maintaining the sanitation of the reusable sanitary napkins and enlighten them about its benefits on health, economy, and environment.

On 16th of August, The coordinators of Safe Migration and Legal Aid project attended Anti-Trafficking Network meeting which was being organized & conducted by CINI at Hotel Vishal in the presence of 25 members from 13 organizations. Sonu Chettry from CINI welcomed all, followed by a self-introduction of the members and he also gave a brief overview about ATN, since its initiation from 2011 where at present 22 organizations are there.
The main objective of the meeting was the initiative being taken by CINI to revive the network, which was non-functional since February, 2022.

77th Independence day was celebrated by DMWSC field staffs and animator of Safe Migration and Collective Voice project along with community people and youths of the project areas.

Wishing you a joyous Independence Day filled with pride, peace, and prosperity. May this Independence Day bring happiness and success to you and your loved ones. Celebrate the freedom that our forefathers fought for and cherish the blessings of being a citizen of an independent nation. Happy Independence Day!

On 11th August 2023, NBCRN General Meeting was held at Malbazar Community Hall, organized by My Choice foundation where network partners from various NGOs along with DMWSC legal aid ,Safe Migration Coordinators and program officer were also present. The topic of discussion were about the upcoming plans, strengthening of the network, CACL campaign and upcoming events.

On the 7th of August 2023, Women Awareness was conducted at Moonee T.E. (Office Line) on Menstrual Hygiene Management project. There were more than 35 beneficiaries presented in the program. This program was conducted by the MHM project coordinator along with the EEIY Coordinator and field staff. The program's primary goal is to inform participants about both reusable and disposable sanitary products. Encourage them to utilize the reusable sanitary products as well.

On the 28th of July, 2023, Legal Aid Project celebrated “World Day Against Trafficking in Person” in Khoribari Sabuj welfare Sangha Club. The theme for the program was “Use and Abuse of Technology” in progress of focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking. There were around 250 Community people who participated in the program. The chief guest were Arun Roy Officer-in-charge of Traffic police Arun Roy and officer in charge Purna Kumar das. The resource for the program was Mr. Prabhat Pathak from Kanchanjungha Uddhar Kendra(NGO), Siliguri. The activities conducted were rally, poster campaigning, skit ,dance and songs.