Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Health’ Category

My Story: Ms. Sunita, Health Promoter

Snit with her daughter

Snit with her daughter

Here is one of 11 articles from the DIR Report for August.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Sunita. I am working in DIR as a Health Promoter since June 2011. I belong to Bihar but I was born in Chandigarh. I am 29 years old. I am living with my family. My father is a government employee. He is working in The Chandigarh Club. My mother is a homemaker. I have one daughter, Arayna. She is 6.5 years old. She is studying in second standard in Govt. Model Middle school, in Chandigarh’s Sector 23.

My life is a big sad story. I started working with DIR in 2006 and I worked until 2008. Then I got married and left my job to join my husband in Bihar State.. My married life was very bad. My husband and his family forced me for dowry. I spend spent worst three years of my life with him and then I finally left him in 2011 and come back to Naya Gaon. Now, I am living with my parents.

Being a single mother is not an easy job. I have to earn and the only option I had, was DIR. I met Dr. Shaw and discussed my situation with him. I am very thankful to him for giving for giving me one more chance. There was no vacancy at that time but somehow Dr. Shaw adjusted me and I rejoined DIR in June 2011 once again. I don’t have words for saying thanks to him. My daughter was 1.5 years old only at that time. It was hard time for me but I don’t had any option except accepting my destiny. My only wish is to educate my daughter in a best way so that she can live a successful life. I am satisfied with my job. DIR gives me a name. Now everyone knows me in Janta Colony. People trust me. They share their joys and sorrows with me. I am glad that I am a part of DIR.

Today I have knowledge of Prevention and Nutrition. I am not a doctor but I am Health Promoter and promoting health awareness is more than being a doctor in our community. I agree that money is necessary for survival but in DIR, I have learnt that money is not everything. The satisfaction that comes naturally through serving people is the best thing.

My Story: Ms. Vandana, Health Promoter

Vandana, DIR Health Promoter

Vandana, DIR Health Promoter

Hi everyone, I am Vandana. I am working in DIR for the last 10 months as a Health Promoter. I joined DIR on 4 August 2015. I am basically from Uttar Pradesh, but I live in Janta Colony. I am 18 years old. I live with my family. My family is very loving and joyful. I have two brothers and one sister. My father’s name is Mr. Shiv Parsad Gupta. He is an electrician. He is the best father in the world. My mother’s name is Mrs. Geeta and she is a homemaker. I love my family. I have done my +2 in my village. After that I came to Chandigarh. I have done the basics of computers and have knowledge of that. My favorite colors are blue & baby pink. My hobbies are drawing and heena.

When I came in DIR for interview at that time I was very excited because it was my first job which I was going to experience. I felt very happy after my interview. I want to thank Mrs. Harsharan Kaur & Dr. Shaw because they selected me. And gave me this opportunity to work with them. I love the DIR staff because they all are very helpful.

I have learned so many new things in DIR, like medical and nutrition knowledge and how to counsel people. I like it when we have a talk with the people in the field and they all share their problems and good experiences with us. I feel very happy. I want to live my life beautifully and I just want to make it way better than this.

Once again I wanted to say thanks to Dr. Shaw and all the loving staff of DIR.

Saving lives with boiled water, sugar and salt

According to World Health Organization estimates, diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years; globally, it is responsible for killing 760,000 children every year. Diarrhea is also the major cause of malnutrition in children under five years old. A significant proportion of diarrheal disease can be prevented through safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.

Read more

Please help someone fill my shoes

I first learned about Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR) during the early years of my medical residency at a public hospital in Contra Costa, California. Dr. Fredrick Shaw (Founder & CEO) was kind enough to meet with me, and I quickly knew that DIR’s focus on public health, education and social change would fit my passions and interests.

Read more

Red…Yellow…Green

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 61 million Indian children suffer “stunted” growth due to malnutrition in early development. Aside from small physical stature, stunting is linked to cognitive impairment, difficulty in school, reduced economic opportunities in adulthood and reduced maternal reproductive health.

Read more