Amader Padakhep

Amader Padakhep consistently extends support to those in need, especially during natural disasters, ensuring that affected individuals do not feel isolated. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation took proactive steps to alleviate hunger among the underprivileged due to the national lockdown. It offered cooked or raw food, including essentials like rice, lentils, and potatoes. It also distributed non-food items like sanitizers and masks.

The primary goal of the organization is to offer a brighter future to the underprivileged children in our society. In 1999, AMADER PADAKHEP established "Sahaj Path Prathamik Vidyalaya" in Sonarpur Block, initially enrolling three students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Currently, the school educates 263 students, with 53% being girls, primarily from marginalized groups such as scheduled castes, destitute families, and the underprivileged.
Operating within the STEP framework (Smile Twin-E-Learning Programme sponsored by Ericsson), this programme caters to individuals aged 18-28. Students undergo a mobilization process for course enrolment, which includes Basic Computer, Spoken English, Basic and Retail Management, Personality Development, and Financial Literacy spanning a four-month duration.

India, the world's second most populous country, grapples with staggering poverty, with nearly 36 crore people living below the poverty line. Unfortunately, health and hygiene in India fall significantly short of the World Health Organization's (WHO) set standards. Factors such as extreme poverty, limited education, and widespread ignorance contribute to this dire scenario. The organisation endeavours to enhance healthcare for the underprivileged, particularly women, children, and the elderly, in the targeted regions. Despite limited resources, it conducts around 15 Health and Eye Check-up camps each month, prioritizing the well-being of senior citizens.

The organisation extends its healthcare services to the rural and slum areas of South Kolkata through a mobile medical unit. The van, provided by the Smile Foundation, is fully equipped with medical facilities, including an X-ray machine and lab equipment, operated by trained medical professionals. This initiative enables the organisation to offer essential primary healthcare services at no cost to those in need.
Focused on slum areas like Baghajatin, Jadavpur, Dhakuria, Netaji Slum, and Sonarpur block in South 24 Parganas, the organization has reached approximately 15,000 individuals through the medical van.

The organisation regularly conducted health awareness programs addressing diverse topics such as Mother and Child Care, AIDS prevention, Pulse Polio, Family Planning, and Elderly Health issues across various locations in Kolkata and South 24 Parganas. Notably, over 237 mothers from these project areas benefited from orientation sessions held during Health Awareness Camps.

The organisation routinely conducts eye care and operation camps as part of its regular activities. Approximately 15 health and eye camps specifically catering to senior citizens are organized every month. Some noteworthy camps include:
1. An Eye Operation camp held at Mukundapur, Daspara in partnership with Sankar Netralaya, Kolkata. A total of 224 patients were examined and treated. Among them, 167 patients underwent surgery, including 106 for Cataract, 15 for Optic nerve, 29 for Glaucoma, and 17 for Retina problems.
2. Another Eye Operation camp organized in collaboration with Sushrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre, Kolkata, at Dhakuria under ward no. 92, attended by 210 patients. Among them, 63 patients underwent surgery.
3. The third Eye Operation Camp was conducted in collaboration with Sankar Netralaya, Kolkata, at Sonarpur Kamrabad. A total of 190 patients received treatment, out of which 97 underwent surgery.

The organisation conducts the Smile Twin E Learning programme, a skill development initiative for underprivileged individuals aged 18-28 years, supported by the Smile Foundation. This project offers vocational training to youths who have passed at least class X. It includes courses in Spoken English, Basic Computer Education, Retail Management, Personality Development, and Finance, spanning a duration of 4 months. Upon completion, the students receive placement assistance, effectively connecting trained youth job seekers with industry demands. The objective is to prepare unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds for various job opportunities and make them industry-ready.

The organisation focuses on providing shelter, nutrition, education, and a nurturing environment conducive to the healthy growth of children. Specifically targeting marginalized groups like rag pickers, street children, child labourers, slum dwellers, beggars, and those involved in illicit activities, it strives for their holistic development.

This initiative aims to support families with special needs children, enabling them to lead improved lives. Special children often face challenges in performing daily tasks compared to their peers, depriving them of fundamental rights. Families often experience trauma and depression upon learning about their child's special needs, and this suppressed distress can inadvertently harm the child.
The services include:
• Counselling sessions for parents.
• Assessment of the child's specific disorder or condition.
• Provision of necessary therapies tailored to individual needs.
Therapies:
• Speech therapy
• Yoga therapy
• Music therapy
• Play therapy
• Sessions with psychiatrists