Dakshata Family Counselling Centre
Set up in the year 2000 the Dakshata Family Counselling Centre is committed to helping the needy and the distressed in a professional manner thereby ensuring they are empowered to face their problems at present and in future. Assistance provided is in the form of free Counselling, Legal, Medical and Psychiatric help and even Police intervention if the need be in cases of violence. The staff constantly network with Counselors, Psychiatrists and Lawyers to provide Holistic solutions to problems.
Today the Centre serves as a beacon of light to all those who turn to it for help and guidance. In recognition of its services, the Government has appointed it as a Service provider in the implementation of the Protection for Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
Dakshata Short Stay Home
Set up in the year 2004 in response to the anguished calls from the needy and the distraught seeking refuge, the Dakshata Short Stay Home has indeed turned out to be ‘a haven’, an abode of peace for these women. All efforts are made to reunite them with their families. The Short Stay Home has been instrumental in helping them regain their confidence, face their predicament and what’s more come out of it. All efforts are made to re-establish their status and mainstream them into Society. Skill based or educational and vocational training based on their aptitude is provided to them. Job opportunities are made available to them in a bid to rehabilitate them at the earliest. What started as a home catering to the distressed calls of the distraught, today has blossomed into a full-fledged institution. Today the SSH has come to be recognized for its efficient and quality services. It has referrals from all over the state.
Free Legal Cell
The free legal cell was inaugurated on the 24th of June, 2006. The main aim of the cell is to facilitate women from the economically weaker sections to fight for their rights. It is competently handled by adept lawyers who are available for consultation on Saturdays.
Primary Health Care Centre
The opening of the Primary Health Care Centre at Hadonahalli, Dodballapur on the 23rd of April, 2007 was the achievements of a major milestones for the Samiti, the fulfillment of yet another of its dreams-that of providing health care to the rural poor. It continues to function effectively. Approximately 60 to 80 patients, on an average are screened, free medicines are given and records of patients are maintained. Those requiring special diagnostic investigations or surgeries are referred to MS Ramaiah Hospital for further treatment where they are treated at subsidized rates. This centre has gained popularity not only among the local people but also in the surrounding villages.
Diabetic Clinic
A diabetic clinic was set up in the year 2010 in the same premises. It operates on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Blood samples are collected to examine the sugar level of each patient. Medicines are prescribed accordingly and free medicines are disbursed. On an average 100 patients avail of this initiative. Bangalore Diabetic Hospital was instrumental for this initiative. Awareness programs are regularly conducted for the benefit of these people to make them aware of the illness as well as the hazards of not taking proper care, if suffering from this ailment.
Special Camps
We have been conducting multi-speciality camps in the rural areas of North Bangalore. We have an MOU with M S Ramaiah hospital, wherein 15-20 doctors from various streams participate in these camps. Approximately 250-300 patients are screened. Free medicines are disbursed by us. Some of the villages that we have covered are Huttanahalli, Yeliyuru, Nayakarandahalli, Channahalli, Godlumuddenahalli Venkatagirikote etc.
Well Woman Clinic
A major feat for the setting up of the Well Woman Clinic in association with BIOCON India under the Arogya Raksha Scheme. The clinic was formally inaugurated on the 23rd of August, 2014. The prime focus of this clinic is on Cervical Cancer Screening. In view of the recent increase in such cases amongst Indian women, the idea of setting up a preventive health clinic was envisioned. This Clinic operates on the third Saturday of every month where women are screened for the same and those requiring further investigations after the preliminary pap smear test are referred to M S Ramaiah Hospital as per an MOU with them. They are also treated for general ailments and free medicines are dispensed with at this clinic. Awareness camps are regularly conducted in the vicinity to make people aware of this clinic. And to encourage women to come forward and get themselves examined. This initiative is gaining popularity amongst the women in the area as is evident in the increase in the number of patients at the centre.
Education and Child Welfare
Some of the landmark initiatives taken up by the Samiti in the field of education and child welfare:
- Adoption of the Government Higher Primary Model School in 1995 and the expansion of its infrastructure by adding additional nine rooms, a Computer room, a multipurpose hall, toilets, provision of well stocked library, benches, desks, black boards, etc,
- Launching of the mid-day meal scheme in the year 2000 and provision of nutritious meals to approximately 600 children in association with ISKCON – a scheme started much before the Government mid-day meal scheme.
- Adoption of the Anganwadi and provision of milk and nutritious food for the last fifteen years for its children.
- Adoption of girl students and looking after all their educational needs.
- Provision of scholarships every year to approximately 80 girl students who wish to pursue higher education and fulfill their dreams.
- Conduct of periodic health check-ups for the students of the Government School, Geddalahalli first in collaboration with the doctors of MS Ramaiah Hospital in accordance with the MOU signed with them and more recently by making it an ongoing process with regular check-ups being conducted by a pediatrician who visits the School once a week and thoroughly examines the children and dispenses with medicines for ailments.
- Similar check-ups are being conductedat the Government school, Narsipura in Vidyaranyapura which we have taken under our wing. Two doctors with the assistance of our health workers and members carry out health check-ups every Wednesday and generic medicines like multivitamins, iron and worm tablets are distributed amongst the children.
Overall Sanitation of Perumogondanahalli
In recognition of its endeavors in the field of Social Service, the Samiti was identified by the Government under the Swatcha Grama Scheme in 2008 as a nodal agency for the overall sanitation of Perumogondanahalli in the precincts of Dodballapur. The village had 50 houses. In addition to the regular supervision by the office bearers of the Samiti, the services of a local expert were appointed by it to oversee and implement the project. The completion of this project was indeed a landmark achievement for the Samiti. Awareness programs are being conducted time and again for these people on the issues of health and hygiene and the importance of keeping their surroundings clean. This project earned the Samiti the goodwill of both people as well as the local Panchayat
Inauguration of the New Building
3rd July,2013 will be etched in the history of the MDS as a land mark day, one that saw the fruition of one of its biggest dreams -the completion of its own building, a three storey edifice which houses the MDS office, Dakshata Family Counselling Centre, Dakshata Short Stay Home as well as training units all under one roof. The building was formally inaugurated by the then Governor, Shri Hans Raj Bharadwaj. Commending the Samiti for its efforts, he assured his support in all its endeavors. Glorifying the role of women in Society, he expressed deep anguish at the dangerous trend witnessed of late, that of escalating violence against women. He spoke about drastic measures to be taken, to stem this brutal assault on women.
Empowerment
Choco Senorita' our first income generating initiative
Our first venture in income generation came into existence in September 2013-'Choco Senorita' a home-made chocolates initiative, commercial operations commenced in 2013 with all the proceeds from the sale going towards rehabilitation work. The project garnered record sales during the festive seasons of Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas and New Year. It also catered to special events like Birthdays, engagements, weddings etc. This venture has received accolades for its exquisite variety of mouth-watering flavors. Today it has a broad base in clientele.
Catering
The year 2014 saw us venture into another income generating initiative - catering in a bid to provide employment to the residents of Short Stay Home. The Samiti entered into an agreement with the management of MES School and College wherein nutritious meals are provided by us at subsidized rates to the students. This has been well received by the students as well as the management who eagerly wait for the delicacies prepared by the catering team. This has motivated them to take up catering assignments in the vicinity which they have executed successfully.
The other ongoing training programs in tailoring, paper bag making, embroidery etc. continue to function. The finished products such as saree petticoats, sareebags , yoga mat bags, fabric shopping bags, table mats etc. have been displayed at various exhibitions and have been a complete sell out.
Apart from these, the regular activities of the Samiti continue unabated.
Creating Awareness
Seminars, awareness programs and workshops on contentious issues of the day such as child abuse, rape, domestic violence, dowry deaths, female foeticide, suicide, educational pressure, corruption, juvenile age and justice etc. are being conducted periodically to sensitize the general public and persuade them to take requisite action where needed.
This year the focus has been on orientation programs in schools and colleges with a view to inculcate the right values in children so that they turn out to be better citizens in the future. The emphasis is on treating both boys and girls with respect as equals and giving equal opportunities for growth.
Awareness programs are conducted on a regular basis in different schools in association with Vanitha Sahayavani and Makkala Sahayavani on varied issues concerning children with special emphasis on good and bad touch, study skills, health, hygiene, importance of sanitation etc.
