The first phase of the project, which is currently underway, consists of fostering a greater understanding of prevention and treatment of common medical conditions through the delivery of a healthcare curriculum targeting low-income children in Delhi’s street shelters. Alongside the teaching curriculum, C.H.A.M.P. is also compiling an e-book made up of simple health facts, tips and illustrations, which will be made accessible for free.
Next, C.H.A.M.P. is hoping to expand its operations across India. The first stage of this will be to foster partnerships with organisations and individuals to facilitate knowledge and resource sharing. The second will involve creating an India-wide C.H.A.M.P. network of both affiliated service providers and student ambassadors, who will be encouraged to start school- and college-level advocacy chapters across the country.
For the introductory session, our founders Arjun and Kyra initiated a class discussion about health, what it means to be healthy, and why it’s so important. It also included general tips to maintain hygiene and maintain good health. By allowing the students to lead the discussion, we were able to foster an impactful conversation that laid the foundation for the sessions to come.
The second session kicked off with a fun activity where students covered their hands in glitter and were required to wash it off in order to learn more about germs. This was followed by a group discussion on the importance of washing hands and its role in preventing illnesses and maintaining hygiene.
The third session picked up from the previous session by elaborating more on germs and their role in causing illnesses. The students had a fruitful discussion about the proper etiquette to follow while coughing and sneezing in order to minimise the chances of catching a sickness.
The fourth session focused on dental hygiene. The students were asked to play-brush a print of teeth, which led to a discussion about the proper way to brush one’s teeth. It was followed by a discussion on plaque buildup and the consequences of poor dental hygiene. The students were encouraged to eat foods high in calcium and to avoid foods that lead to dental problems.
The fifth session covered the topic of nutrition. After discussing the need for good nutrition, a balanced diet, as well as different types of food groups like fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, the students played a game of apple bobbing! With high spirits and a newfound love for apples, the students found a new way to engage with the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.
C.H.A.M.P.’s sixth session covered the essentials of physical health and exercise. The students learnt about the importance of good exercise and as well as tips on how to enhance one’s physical health by doing certain exercises daily.
The seventh session covered personal safety. It helped the students understand correct courses of action in emergencies like sudden injury, fire, or illness. The students were also provided with emergency numbers and helplines, to enable them to reach out for help in times of need.
The eighth session was dedicated to road safety. The students got to interact with toy traffic lights to better understand traffic signals. Aided by a discussion on road safety tips and practices, the students were given practical advice on how to avoid injury to self while crossing the many busy roads of New Delhi. The session was conducted on Christmas eve, so Santa gifted them warm blankets for being great students!
The ninth session focused on an introduction of disaster management and mitigation. The students learnt what disasters are and the different kinds of disasters that Delhi is prone to. They then discussed tips and safety advice to keep in mind in the event of disasters like floods, earthquakes, and fires. At the end they collectively formulated and participated in a school fire drill!