Screening and Awareness Cancer Camps are a new SCAD initiative, delivered in partnership with the Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai and Krishna Hospital, Tirunelveli. These community based camps aim to bring about an awareness of cancer and to screen for early detection. Women in rural villages do not have easy access to medical facilities and are extremely unlikely to go for screenings without symptoms. Through the Women’s Self Help Groups SCAD are able to educate women about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of cancer and to encourage regular screenings. Two community based camps...

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‘Loving Greetings from SCAD!’ (a lovely phrase that is used at the start of most emails here) Like all good journeys and adventures it has been a bumpy road and at times it has been very hard but it has also been amazing and breath-taking. I can also honesty say that I am happy. I sometimes say that I must have been Indian in my past life – I love the food, the culture, the people, the colours and I also love eating with my hand (Not so keen on the poverty, inequality and filth but you can’t have everything). At first I was pretty overwhelmed by the enormity of it all and the feeling...

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An article in the Times of India, Chennai today reveals grim figures from the 2011 Indian census about open defecation in Tamil Nadu. 45% of the state’s population resorts to open defecation due to the lack of sanitation facilities.  The article reads “The situation is worse in rural areas where only 2% of the population is covered by the pipeline sewerage system. As a result, over 73% of rural population defecate in the open.” Most rural village homes do not have toilet facilities and people resort to open defecation which contaminates the drinking water supply and has huge implications...

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SCAD’s greatest asset is not only the Chairman  & Vice Chairman but each and every team member. It is with such a dedicated and committed team that SCAD is able to aim so high and continually achieve so much. Mrs Christy, Health Coordinator, is one of hundreds of committed SCAD staff members. Mrs Christy’s role, working with SCAD since 2006, is to provide training, support and care to pregnant mothers across all five area blocks. Mrs Christy conducts pregnant mothers training days in all SCAD villages. Village Animators and Volunteers inform any pregnant women or new mother of their...

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We've built up a formula for successful community empowerment over the past 25 years which we wish to share with others. If you’re looking to expand your experience and international horizons, then our one month and three month tailored work placements are for you. Spend time: - working with children with disabilities - assisting in our veterinary care camps - caring for our abandoned and destitute elderly in the community - teaching the next generation - working a range of energy and conservation projects You can now download and read our pre-departure pack which...

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Last week Save the Children released a report entitled 'A Life Free From Hunger' and in it they declare that 48% of children in India are stunted in their growth due to malnutrition. Although this is an aggregated number and doesn't account for regional differences in such a large and diverse country - with over 28 different states - it also reveals the dire condition many people in India are still living in. India is now the World's 10th largest economy and has an obligation to look after their most vulnerable and destitute people. Malnutrition is not only a problem for physical growth it also...

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We are fortunate enough to have two Belgium OT (Occupational Therapist) students completing 3 month internships at SCAD working with differently-abled students at the residential school and in the community. SCAD have built up an invaluable relationship with the KHBO University in Brugge, Belgium and have OT students come every year to SCAD. This ensures that there is sustainability in the OT support given to our staff.  The current two Belgium OT students, Lise & Phaedra, will provide support and training to the CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) staff on current practice and possible areas...

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Murray & Janet Frankland, founders of Salt of the Earth, visit the ‘model village’ Sevalkulam, in the Ottapidaram block to view the new fish culture initiative at the village ooranie (rainwater harvest tank). SCAD have been working with this village for around 20 years and have successfully established: Women’s Self Help Groups, supplementary education, energy management, sports youth groups, vetinary camps, income generating initiatives, health education, micro insurance, nutritional demonstrations, tree plantation, organic kitchen gardens, bio-char trial plots - as a result village...

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In Tamil Nadu there is a big problem with women being anemic and children being malnourished. Also the price of food in the area is increasing beyond the means of most people. We have a solution to this problem! We have been providing women with affordable seeds and soil enriching bio-char so that they can start to grow their own vegetables. Watch this video about our work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8F7_ix_iAQ&context=C3c6fc54ADOEgsToPDskJKbNoTLg0YMm40lO27Gy60

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Get involved with SCAD in 2012 - it’s now even easier Tamil Nadu charity Social Change and Development (SCAD) is strengthening its links with overseas supporters this year with the launch of three new initiatives as part of its plans for 2012. It now means it will be easier for you to learn more, see more and do more with SCAD than you’ve ever been able to do before. Whether your want to travel to Tamil Nadu to work with SCAD, volunteer with SCAD, or simply learn more about its work wherever you are, the door is wide open. SCAD’s work is about community empowerment. It works with...

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