KOZHIKODE: The launch of the ‘Subakshitha Balyam Sundara Balyam’ programme by the district child protection unit (DCPU) for SC/ST children in Pathanamthitta district has proved to be a success in terms of children gaining weight and attending school/ anganwadi. Six months since the launch of the programme, a health checkup of the children revealed that all the 100 children had gained weight by two kg to 3.5 kg.
The programme is being run in Moozhiyar, Gavi areas of Seethathode gram panchayat where 95 per cent SC/ST children were underweight. “Shocking data of the underweight children was the reason behind launching the programme. The lack of proper food resulted in school dropouts. Many children had not eaten any food between their mid-day meal on Friday till the mid-day meal on Monday,” said A.O Abeen, the DCPO.
According to the scheme, food is being distributed to the under-18 children on holidays also. Breakfast, lunch and the evening meal is given in parcels. The engagement on holidays kept them away from their forest settlements where there is the lurking danger of sexual abuse when the parents leave.
“The success of the programme has given us the power to expand it to the mothers of the beneficiary kids. Vocational training will be provided to the mothers and the students who discontinued education through Kudumbashree,” said Pathanamthitta district collector, S. Harikishore. Besides, permanent housing facility would be provided as many households are suffering from acute leakage during rain. “We have decided to document the positive changes brought in by the programme,” said Mr Abeen.
