December 2, 2023

1) What is Prajna Counselling Centre?

Prajna Counseling Centre is a woman and child-centered, women managed and women headed, registered, non-profit, secular, development Organization, started in 1987 and based in Mangaluru.

2) What are its aims and objectives?

The main thrust of the Organisation is to render counselling and supportive services to individuals and families in distress and also to offer a variety of preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitation services for the needy, poor, deprived and disadvantaged sections of people of the community irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion.

Specific Aims and Objectives of the organization:

• To provide preventive counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services for chronic alcoholics and drug addicts including supportive services to families of alcoholics and drug addicts.
• To provide education to the public to create social awareness and prevention of drug and alcohol addiction through families, individuals, groups and for industrial settings.
• To provide legal and referral services to individuals and families in particular women, who are suffering from atrocities and injustice.
• To provide family education programmes on child development, adolescent conflicts, and problems of teenagers, marriage, parenting, child-care and old age adjustments.
• To organise programmes in child and career guidance, aptitude tests, family life, with extension of such programmes to the institutions, organisations and industries.
• To provide training for human resource development and professional skills.
• To develop a national and international network system with similar agencies.
• To undertake studies, to conduct research in the areas of counselling and women’s programmes and issues.
• To establish and operate a centre to promote and support women entrepreneurship.

Prof Hilda Rayappan

3) Who is the Founder Chairperson and present Chairperson of Prajna?

Prof Hilda Rayappan is the Founder Chairman & present Chairman

4) What are the different projects taken up by Prajna? Where are they located in Mangaluru? What do they do?

PROJECTS & PROGRAMMES OF PRAJNA:

1. THERAPEUTIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING SERVICE ESTD : 1987 (ON GOING) :
Location: Prajna’s Main Office at Kankanady

The main aim of Therapeutic Counselling is to help individuals and families who are suffering from distress and emotional problems. The nature of intervention is carried out at the individual level. Supportive counselling is rendered by encouraging free expression that enables an individual to give full vent to his/her pent up emotions and feeling. A total of 121 cases handled and helped during the reported period. So far 9,893 cases of adults and children having emotional, psychological and psychiatric problems helped.

2. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT – 1987 :
Location: At different settings

This programme aims to meet the needs of building the personality of the individual by providing skills in communication, developing self-image and self esteem, identification of problems and needs of development of leadership etc. A Series of training programmes have been conducted in many parts of the district, on developing leadership qualities among women, neo-literates, students, teachers, grass-root level workers, employees, and officials for the advancement of their personality and to develop their self-esteem for their empowerment. So far over 5000 persons have been capacitated.

3. FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRE – ESTD: 1988 (AIDED BY: CENTRAL SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD) – 1989 (ON GOING) Location: Prajna’s Main Office at Kankanady, Mangaluru

The main aim is to advise and guide women and families who are facing social and family problems remove injustice totally from the society and to help them to lead a harmonious life. So far 6,121 women’s cases of violence, injustice, rape, dowry deaths, wife battering, bigamy, handled and helped so far with assistance from police and lawyers. Socio-Psychological Study on Violence Against Married Women has been conducted in 1996, to critically examine the various types of violence against married women. 100 women respondents. Successfully organized over 50 Legal Aid and Legal Service Camps/Awareness Generation Programmes for 4,935 poor rural women.

4. DE-ADDICTION CENTRE (TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & CHILDREN): AIDED BY MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ANDEMPOWERMENT, GOVERNMENT. OF INDIA – 1992: (ONGOING)
LOCATION: Ujjodi, Gorigudde, Mangaluru

De-addiction Centre is a multi-disciplinary programme, holistic and integrated approach. Essentially its aims to installing back into the addict his self-image and his self-respect that he had lost during the period he was an addict. So far treated & rehabilitated 16,651 addicts (11,671 men & 235 women alcoholics), 177 multi drug addicts besides this 4,558 addicts underwent treatment for second times. Conducted a total of 59, 10 days community De-addiction Camps for 1,624 addicts hailing from poor and lower-middle class sections in Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts. Organized 994 community awareness programmes on ill-effects of substance abuse and rehabilitation programmes for 68349 people. Published a booklet named “Battle of the bottle” – written by Dr. Jessy B. Tellis Nayak. Alcoholism and the family - A study of De-addiction Programme held in 1996. A sociological study on Women Alcoholic held in 1995 and published a book titled “Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction & De-addiction” – written by Dr. K.S.Shetty M.D.

5. TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR MOTIVATORS FOR TOTAL LITERACY: 1992: (Funded by CEBEMO, Netherlands):
LOCATION: Dakshina Kannada District

Aimed at imparting specialized training for grass-root level motivators, volunteers to adopt effective strategy towards promoting total literacy among poor neo literates and villagers especially women in Dakshina Kannada District. Conducted 155 Taluk level trainings, 46 district level trainings, and 13 training to grass root motivators & volunteers to adopt more effective strategies for promotion of literacy. Over 200 women have been trained as leaders and motivators. Conducted a study on Impact of Literacy Programme in Dakshina Kannada District (including Udupi) sponsored by CEBEMO Netherlands), the study revealed that the neo-literates program is contributed significantly to the empowerment of women. Under C.C.F. Project Non-formal Adult Education Classes for Illiterate Women conducted in 8 different centers, more than 100 women benefited.

6. SELF-HELP GROUPS FOR WOMEN AND POOR- 1995 (AIDED BY & NESA NABARD) (ON GOING):
LOCATION: Mangaluru & Bantwal

Self-help group has been recognized as a community based organization that enables members to maximize the utilization of their internal as well as external resources in a sustainable manner. It has been adopted as the primary component in development strategies and most development programmes have made the self-help group the central unit of community mobilization. The economic impact of the programme is very apparent. So far 268 self-hlep groups (50 under NABARD : 40 under NOVIB/NESA : 108 under CCF/CFI : 70 under BMZ/KKS) with 3216 members have been promoted and sucessfully formed 2 separte federations namely Abudhaya Mahila Swa Sanghala Okkotta (R) and Pererana Mahila Swa Sanghala Okkotta (R) with over 200 SHG’s as members. Organization has initiated 2 Community Women Banking through SHG federations i.e.: Abudhaya Mahila Swa Sanghala Okkotta (R) mobilized Rs.7,50,000/- i.e.: Rs.3,00,000/- seed money from CCF and Rs.4,50,000/- share capital and membership fees from 100 members SHG’s and Pererana Mahila Swa Sanghagala Okkotta (R) has mobilized Rs.9,50,000/- i.e: 6,00,000/- from BMZ/KKS as revolving fund and 3,50,000/- share capital from SHG’s members. Community women banking lent a loan of over Rs.50,00,000/- for taking up of Income Generation Projects/Micro-enterprises for over 300 women SHG members at low rate of interest.

7. PROGRAMME FOR STREET CHILDREN AND RAG-PICKERS:(1994 – 1996): BY DWCD
LOCATION: Slums & Urban areas in Mangaluru

Prajna has carried out various activities and programmes under integrated programme for street children and rag-pickers. Conducted 24 Health check up camps, 25 health education, awareness, 8 motivation and orientation camp, 11 counseling and advocacy services, holiday camps and special workshops have been organized in slums in urban Mangaluru. Rehabilitated 47 street children, they are back to school. A study was conducted on “The socio-economic and family life of street children” in urban Mangaluru during 1996 and submitted to DWCD, Bengaluru.

8. VOCATIONAL COUNSELLING, GUIDANCE & TRAINING: - 1995
LOCATION: Mangaluru Urban, rural & semi-rural areas

So far counseling and guidance rendered to 315 un-employed women and youth. 40 Awareness cum training conducted in collaboration with D.I.C., K.S.F.C., S.S.I.S.I., NABARD & K.P.T (Community Polytechnic). 1,225 women benefited. 35 girls trained in tailoring. 130 women underwent vocational training at Shree Narayana Guru Voc. Training Institute, Padubidri. 

9. RURAL AND URBAN WOMEN’S TRAINING (AIDED BY MONAS UNIDAS, SPAIN): - 1995
LOCATION: Rural & Urban Mangaluru

Programme aims at empowering women by helping them to understand their potentials and develop the available resources, inculcate leadership through assertive training to create awareness among women pertaining to discrimination, social injustice, oppression, exploitation, dowry problems etc. A total of 134 awareness and trainings conducted on Role of Women in Society, Women’s Rights, Women’s Status, Women’s Legal Rights, Women and Health, Girl Child, Women and Environment, Women and Panchayath Raj, Women and Social problems, Women and Entrepreneurship 1,594 urban women and 1,037 rural women benefitted.

10. WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT - 1996 TO 1999 (AIDED BY BILANCE NETHERLANDS)
LOCATION: Dakshina Kannada District

This Programme is conducted to develop women as a powerful human resource. We have been working towards bringing about radical changes in the existing attitudinal structures of the community, through various programmes. Awareness generation and training programmes for women’s empowerment and leadership development were organized to promote self reliance and self sufficiency among poor and marginalized women in the area of remote villages, slums and low income community areas in and around South Kanara District. So far conducted 134 women’s empowerment trainings for mahila mandals, neo-literate women, youth groups, and teachers etc, 4820 women benefited. Published various articles on Women’s issues, development, education, legal rights, health, social problems etc. through ‘Prajna’ monthly News Letter.

11. CHILD FUND INDIA PROJECT: (FUNDED BY: CFI, AMERICA) (ONGOING) – 1996
LOCATION: Mangaluru & Bantwal

Our Organization has been running CFI project (previously Family Helper Project) since 1996. Working towards promotion of child family and community empowerment through the concept of sponsorship. The Family Helper Project was set up in response to the needs of the economically backward and less privileged residing in remote villages, low-income community areas and slums in Mangaluru, who have no access to basic needs like Health and Sanitation, Housing, drinking water and other facilities and also who are in need of support for education, vocational training and self-employment. Project components include : Health & Sanitation (HIV/AIDS, RCH, TB, Malaria, Nutrition, Early Child Hood Care & Development, (ECCD) Basic Education, Bridge Course, Child Agency (Child Participation & Child Protection) Lively-hood and Economic Enhancement of Poor (LEEP). SHG promotion, small business, employable skill training etc. Operational community areas are 17, targeted families are 4687 population 23,266, child population 9,236, No. of enrolled families 805, No. of sponsored children 580 in Mangaluru are being covered under this project.

12. CHILD LABOUR SPECIAL SCHOOL/ BRIDGE COURSE (AIDED BY DWCD, LABOUR DEPT. CCF., EDUCATION DEPT) – 1997
LOCATION: Moodshedde, Panamboor, Kadri, Ashoknagar in Mangaluru

The main aim of conducting Child Labour Special School is to instil the importance of education to working children by withdrawing them from employment and to prepare children to enter into normal school or vocational training. Conducted a series of six/twelve months child labour special school/Residential Bridge Course, since 1997 up to 2009 and a total of 777 out of school children (416 boys and 361girls) re-enrolled into formal schools and successfully mainstreamed. Dr Mary Johnson I.L.O. International Director had inaugurated Child Labourers Forum at Prajna in the year 2000.

13. REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMMED (AIDED AND SUPPORTED BY MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE G.O.I. AND ST JOHN’S MEDICAL COLLEGE, BANGALORE) – (1997-1999)
Location  Mangaluru Rural & Urban

The programme aimed at educating the women, men, teenagers, students on the issues pertaining to sexuality, sexual health, pregnancy, child bearing, contraception, reproductive and child health, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS in 10 identified slums and low income community areas and the students of nearby High schools and colleges. Reached out to and educated 10,890 population, conducted 24 meetings with SHG leaders, community health volunteers and 41 sex education sessions for SHG’s, youth, students and 17 family planning and RTI sessions.

14. PROGRAMME ON DE-INSTITUTIONALISATION FOR ABANDONED CHILDREN (AIDED BY KARNATAKA STATE COUNCIL FOR CHILD WELARE AND ADOPTION CENTRE SIDA) :- (1997 – 2004)
Location: Dakshina Kannada & Udupi Districts

Aims : De-institutionalization programme aims to reach out to the children placed in government homes, privately run orphanages and other institutions. The programme is a step towards integration of children in institutions back into their own or extended families wherever possible or into new families willing to adopt or provide foster homes for them. Prajna provides support services to help the families take care of their children. Prajna identifies recruits, trains and supports families willing to nurture children without homes until they begin to lead independent lives. So far 420 orphan, abandoned, destitute and single parent children helped through sponsorship support of which 109 stay with single parent and foster families.

15. GROUP FOSTER HOME FOR DESTITUTE CHILDREN (DWCD & K.S.C.C.W., BANGALORE): -1998 (ON GOING) 
Location: Preethi Sadan, Ballana, Kateel, Mangaluru

Prajna has been running Group Foster Home for the rehabilitation of orphan children, destitute, under-privileged, single parent children, neglected and children from broken families. Children are provided special attention, care and support for education and rehabilitation under supervision of house-mothers. So far over 75 children provided through rehabilitation, through shelter, care and education.

16. “SANTWANA” WOMEN HELP LINE – 1091 (AIDED BY WOMEN & CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT. KARNATAKA) – 2001 (ON GOING)
Location: Prajna Main Office

Aim: The main aim is to help and guide distressed women, who are facing mental agony due to dowry and other family problems or sexual molestation and harassment.

Since its inception from 1st of February 2001 a total of 2055 cases of women and girls facing violence & atrocities have been registered and helped. Conducted State Level Training on Santwana - Women help-line, Recognized & sponsored by women and child development department. 94 Counsellors, 193 Social workers, 45 NGO chief executives and 21 Assistant Directors of Women and Child Development Department have been trained.

17. FIT PERSON INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS (AIDED BY DWCD) - 2001: (ON-GOING)
Location: Murkathpalke, Belwai, Moodbidri

The chief aim of the program is to give proper care and protection to the destitute, abandoned, neglected and abused children. It also shelters children in conflict with law, children who are referred by the Child Welfare Committee and transferred from the Government. statutory institutions like Juvenile Home, Observation home, certified schools etc. The program is oriented towards tapping the talents and potentials of the children by providing them with love, care, concern and protection. Children here are provided with proper food, clothing, and support for schooling, medical care, and recreation opportunities for demonstrating their latent talents. Vocational training and support are given towards their rehabilitation and reintegration back in to society. So far over 150 children have been rehabilitated.

18. TARGETED INTERVENTION AMONG MIGRANT WORKERS AND FAMILIES ON HIV/AIDS –) (AIDED BY KSAPS 2001 – 2002)
Location: Mangaluru Urban & Rural

The main aim of the Project is to reduce the risk of STI/HIV infection among the migrant workers through awareness, behaviour change communication. STI/RTI referrals and condom promotion. 3600 migrant workers and their families reached out and educated on behavioural change through various interventions like group education, one on one and BCC sessions, case identification, counselling and referrals, treatment and follow-up sessions and also organized, event on Observance of World AIDS Day.

19. DESTITUTE COTTAGE: ESTD: 2002 (AIDED BY: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVT. DEPARTMENT - 2002 (ON GOING)
LOCATION: Murkathpalke, Belwai, Moodbidri, Mangaluru

Organization has been running Destitute Cottage at Preethi Sadan, Kateel which houses destitute, abandoned and neglected children also single parent children. Offers shelter and care in the destitute cottage under the supervision of 3 house mothers. The three Cottages house 8 children each. So far over 100 children have been sheltered and rehabilitated.

20. BALASEVIKA TRAINING INSTITUTE: (Affiliated to K.S.C.C.W., Bengaluru) – (2003-2004)
Location : Bejai Kapikad, Mangaluru

Prajna Counselling Centre started Balasevika Training Centre under CCF Project. Balasevika Training Course for young girls provides a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills in the field of child development, pre-school education, maternal and child health, nutrition. This training course provides job openings in Anganwadi, Balawadi, Kinder Garden, Crèches, Destitute Cottages, Foster Homes for children, Juvenile Home, Fit Person Institution, NGO’s and other community development projects. So far 47 successfully completed training and provided suitable job placements in various organizations.

21. MIDDLE LEVEL TRAINING CENTRE (MLTC): (AIDED BY : WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THROUGH UDISHA PROJECT - 2004-2006)
Location: Naguri, Kakankandy, Mangaluru

The Government of India through Ministry of Women and Child Development has sanctioned Middle Level Training Centre. The main thrust of the Middle Level Training Centre is to train Anganwadi Supervisors working in Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS) block throughout Karnataka State. Supervisors are middle level Government. functionaries who supervise the day to day functioning of the anganwadi centers. Our Organization runs M.L.T.C. training Centre at Krishna Sadana, Near Meera Printers, Pumpwell, Mangaluru. During reported period 486 anganwadi supervisors underwent training in 13 batches at M.L.T.C.

22. SHORT STAY HOME (AIDED BY: CENTRAL SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD - 2004 (ONGOING)
Location : Jappinamogru, Mangaluru

The aim of the Short Stay Home is to bring about amicable solutions to the women’s problems and to send them back to their families and to provide shelter care and protection to those women and girls who are forced into prostitution, women with children/girls who leave their homes due to domestic violence and marital problems. Women and girls who are victims of rape and sexual abuse, the victims of maladjustment, emotional disturbances, social ostracism, who are forced to escape from their homes, are in need of shelter, psychiatric treatment and counselling. So far provided shelter and care to 844 women and girls and successfully rehabilitated by reconciliation & restoring to family or society.

23. HANDICRAFT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN COLLABORATION WITH HANDICRAFT DEVELOPMENT CO-OPERATION UNDER MINISTRY OF TEXTILES : - 2004
Location : Mangaluru

SHG’s women artisans participated in 12 market promotion show rooms (exhibition cum sale fair) in different parts of the country, organized by handicraft development commission. Embroidery items worth Rs.21,17,662/- were sold with project of Rs.31,750/-. Production centre has manufactured items worth Rs.2,20,154/-. 33 women working in production centre, Kasuthi items worth Rs.10,000 were manufactured by the production centre.

24. EMBROIDERY, CUT-WORK, KASUTHI AND FABRIC PAINTING TRAINING CENTRE – 2004
Location: Short Stay Home, Falnir Road, Kankanady, Mangaluru

Organization is running Embroidery, Cut-work, Kasuthi and Fabric Painting Training Centre under CCF Project. Over 150 women and girls successfully underwent training and majority of them presently are working in the Embroidery Production Centre of the organization and earning Rs.2000/- - 3,000/- per month.

25. SWADHAR SHELTER HOME: (AIDED BY: THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT. OF INDIA – 2005) (ONGOING)
Location : Mudipu, Kurnadu village, Ullal Taluk

The main thrust of the Swadhar Shelter Home is to respond to the needs of women especially, the women in difficult circumstances like, widows, destitute and deserted, ex-prisoners, victims of sexual abuse and crime including those trafficked and rescued from brothels, migrant and refugee women, by providing them shelter, care and protection, vocational training and support for their rehabilitation. So far, 265 distressed women and their children rehabilitated through reconciliation & restoring to family or society.

26. COMMUNITY BASED HIV/AIDS PRVENTION PROJECT : (FORUM SYD, SIDA) – 2006
Location: Dakshina Kannada & Udupi districts

Prajna Counselling Centre, has been implementing HIV/AIDS prevention interventions through Comprehensive Community Based Gender Focused Interventions on Prevention, Care and Management of HIV/AIDS through Capacity Building of youth organizations and women self help groups. The project has worked directly with over 15,000 marginalized people spread in 12 villages and slums in Mangaluru through 103 community based organizations, 17 civil society organizations and 26 schools. Interventions implemented initially by capacitating community youth organizations and women self-help groups in order to intensify and sustain their efforts in the programme. The project has addressed effectively the reproductive and sexual health rights and issues of children, adolescents, youth and women. The programme has reached out to high risk, vulnerable, low risk general public and people living with HIV/AIDS belonging to different social groups and gender directly and indirectly through various community based, people centered and action oriented interventions.

27. PEER LED INTERVENTION ON HIV/AIDS FOR ADDICTS – 2006-2007
Location: Urban and Rural Mangaluru

Department of Interventional Development (DFID) through society for promotion of youth and masses (SPYM) has sanctioned a new project named – reducing the risk of HIV among drug users - DFID & SPYM sponsored project named – reducing the risk of HIV, A Peer Led Intervention for one year period from April 2006 to March 2007. The main thrust of the project is to improve quality coverage of substance using populations, especially infecting drug users to prevent the spread of HIV among substance users. Two recovered addicts have been appointed as peer-out-reach educationalists in order to implement project interventions.

Progress achieved:

• Base line survey has been conducted and data collected from 50
drug users.
• Prepared resource directly of services available for drug &
HIV/AIDS
• Total No of addicts contacted and counseled is – 200
• Total No follow-up done is 670 individual meetings
• Total of No of Group discussions held 137
• Total No of condom demonstration sessions held – 56
• Total No of referrals – 43 cases

28. SPOORTHI SHG SCHEME FOR DISABLED – 2007: Sponsored by: DSCWD
Location: Mangaluru, Bantwal & Beltangady

The Disabled and Senior Citizens Welfare department., Government of Karnataka has sanctioned grant-in-aid for Prajna Counselling Centre under the scheme of Spoorthi Disabled SHG’s for promotion of economic and social empowerment among disabled persons. So far 10 SHG’s of disabled persons have been formed and nurtured in Bantwal Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district on an experimental basis under this scheme.

29. UNODC-ROSA SPONSORED PROJECT – 2007
LOCATION : Urban & Rural Mangaluru

United Nations Office of Drug control (UNODC) – ROSA has sanctioned a project titled “Reducing substance use related HIV vulnerability in Female Drug users and Female Partners of Male drug users. The Project aims at empowering women to make informed choices and create a concerted and convergent response towards substance & understand HIV/AIDS related issues in order to HIV- related vulnerabilities among women partners of male drug users and women drug users.

• Base line situation assessment of vulnerability and risk practices from 50 female partners of male drug users and 10 women drug users have been conducted.
• Four Self-help Groups of female partners of drug users and female drug users established in Moodshedde and Adyar Padavu, community and Short Stay Home and Swadhar Centres.
• Weekly meetings organized and issues related to substance abuse and HIV/ AIDS discussed during the meetings with the help of experts.

30. PRAJNA SANJIVINI NET-WORK OF (HIV) POSITIVE PEOPLE
Location: Prajna Main office

With the main intention of facilitating psychological, emotional and social support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Promoted Prajna Sanjivini Net-work, of positive people. women, children and men are referred to this net-work for availing emotional, psychological and other supports for reducing stress, avoiding conflict, overcome anxiety, depression and to make possible changes and to fight against discrimination and denial of services. Through the organization PLWHAs offered counselling, BCC sessions and psycho-social and nutritional support, referral to ART and Non ART treatment follow-up and aftercare services. Presently 118 adults (women 71 and men 47) and 130 children (girls 68and boys 62) attending the net-work programme regularly.

31. PEDIATRIC INITIATIVE FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV (CF – 2008)
Location: Dakshina Kannada District

Clinton Foundation through CARDTS, Bangalore has been sponsoring a project named “Pediatric Initiative for Children Living with HIV” to offer psychological and other support and nutritious food for children living with HIV. 13 children living with HIV enrolled for nutritious and psychological support.

32. BASIC COMPUTER APPLICATION – TRAINING COURSE:
Location: Jeppu Kudupady, Falnir, Kankanady, Mangaluru

Educated girls from economically weaker families offered three months basic computer training course (Computer Fundamentals, Windows98/2000/XP MS word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, MS Access, MS Front Page, MS-concepts, Internet concepts, Tally, Page Maker, DTP, Adobe Photoshop etc) under Child Fund India project. 169 educated girls provided training and suitable job placement.

33. BED-SIDE/BED-CARE ASSISTANCE TRAINING COURSE:
Location : De-addiction Cetre, Ujjodi, Gorigudda, Mangaluru

Bedside Assistant: Bedside Assistant is a program where we impart 400 hours of theory and practical training on nursing care. The training imparts skills on handling patients, bedridden old age people, sick people needing close monitoring for health and similar. 8th Standard, SSLC, PUC (Passed/Failed) girls from economically poor and marginalized families provided a series of 6 months trainings at Prajna De-addiction Centre. 18girls underwent training in 4 batches and provided job placements in de-addiction centre & private hospitals.

34. TAILORING COURSE:
Location: Jeppu, Kudupady, Falnir Kankanady, Mangaluru

Tailoring - cut work embroidery and designing training centre started under Child Fund International project, with aim of skill up gradation particularly in cut-work, embroidery, designing, ready-made garment, jute and rexine products for the potential women/girls belong to BPL families who have already skill of tailoring. The main objective the programme is to enable those trained people to get jobs in production centre which is engaged in cut-work, embroidery and design work, ready-made garment, jute and rexine products assisted by CCF or enable them running individual business. Over 50 women & girls underwent a series of 6 months tailoring and most of them are working and assisting in tailoring. Embroidery items, SHG’s women artisans participated in over 20 market promotion show rooms (exhibition cum sale Fair) in different parts of the country, organized by handicraft development commission. Embroidery items worth Rs.2,00,000/- were sold with profit over Rs.30,000/-. Production centre has manufactured items worth Rs.2,20,154/-. 33 women working in production centre, Kasuthi items worth Rs.10,000 were manufactured by the production centre.

35. HERBAL BEAUTICIAN COURSE:
Location: Jeppu, Kudupady, Falnir Kankanady, Mangaluru

Under Child Fund India project organization conducted a series of 3months Herbal Beautician Course comprises of theory and practical training in-collaboration with Karnataka Polytechnic (Theory : Introduction abut beauty, air-skin care parlour setting and running costing food and nutrition, herbal beauty care, yoga. Practical : Pedicure, manicure, hairstyles, oil massage, henna, hair coloring peering, straightening, bleaching, deep cleansing, Herbal Facial, Dandruft treatment, treatment for different hair problems. Thermo-Herbal pack treatment for dark circle, treatment for different skin problems, treading removal of unwanted hairs, mehandi (Indian & Arabic) make-up (day and night, flower setting, bridal dress up, preparation for herbal cosmetics.) 22 women & girls were trained and most of them are being placed in beauty parlours.

36. BMZ-KARL DUBEL STIFTUNG (KKS) SPONSORED “EMPOWERMENT AND PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN & CHILDREN IN SOUTH INDIA” – 2009
Location : 20 Gram Panchayaths & 10 corporation areas in Mangaluru

BMZ through Karl Kubel Stiftung has been sponsoring a out of Project “Empowerment and Participation of women & children in South India, in 20 villages & 10 City Corporation Wards in Mangaluru. Programs include Capacity Building of Communities-Capacity Building of Women SHGs,: SHG promotion, Training of SHGs, formation of cluster federations, Capacity Building of Children-Formation of Child Right Clubs, Training for CRCs, Advocacy & Net Working etc.

Significant achievements during the reporting period:

• 71 SHG’s with 1065 marginalized women members have been established and strengthened.
• Formed 4 Cluster Federations in 4 zonal areas comprising 70 SHG’s.
• 545 SHG members trained on Book keeping and Accountancy.
• 1020 SHG members and leaders have been trained on competency and leadership skills.
• Successfully initiated community-women banking through apex body in the name of Prerana Mahila Swa Sanghakala Okkotta registrered under Karnataka Societies Registration Act.
343 SHG’s members started successful micro-entreprises.
Over Rs. 10,00,000/- have been lent for taking up of micro-entreprises/IGP’s.
• 3925 members sensitized on women and child rights violence issues.
• 15 Child Rights Club’s established in 15 Government. run schools with 750 School Children and educated children on child rights and creating child friendly school.
• 650 scholastically backward children attending 25 coaching classes established by the project.
• 11 Awareness creating Cultural and Sports Events organized for improving the learning and school environment 503 CRC members participated.
• Over 600 children actively participated in 30 Children’s Grama Sabhas/Children’s Parliaments established and strengthened by the project in 3o villages.
• 3787 people attended 27 mobile health camp organized in collaboration with Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, KMC Medical College Hospital and B.A. Hospital.
• 2907 women, youth, and other community members sensitized on Malaria, hygiene, nutrition, adolescent reproductive and sexual health and HIV/AIDS/STD.

37. PROMOTING RIGHTS AND AWARENESS ON CHILDREN WITH HIV/AIDS FOR REHABILITATION (PRACHAR)” – ESTD: 2012 SPONSORED BY FORUM SYD, SIDA –
Location: 8 Taluks of Dakshina Kannada & Udupi districts

Prajna Counselling Centre has been implementing Project (PRACHAR) since January 2012. The project aimed at preventing abandoning of HIV infected and affected children by capacitating family, positive net-work, and community-based organizations and other stake holders. The project has successfully identified and reached out to 106 children (26 were positive, 14 orphans and 66 non-orphans) in 65 HIV affected families. Provided nutrition kit to over 70 children and parents with HIV, rendered emotional, psycho-social and other support services. Referred PLWHAs for first line and second line ART, CD4 count test, Opportunistic Infection (OI) treatment, and affected parents/dependents referred for IGP Loan Scheme, Housing Scheme, 70 children infected and a effected by HIV referred for Government’s “Orphan Vulnerable Children” (OVC) scheme for financial assistance for education and other needs.

38. CHINNARA THANGUDHAMA (TRANSIT HOME) FOR URBAN DEPRIVED CHILDREN ESTD: 2011-) (ONGOING)
Location: DKZP Higher Primary School, Bejai, Kapikad, Mangaluru

Education Department under Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana has launched a pioneer project named “Chinnara Thangudhama” started in 9 district of Karnataka State. Prajna Counseling Centre has started this Chinnara Thangudhama in December 2011. This programme aims to provide free food and shelter for deprived children in the age group of 6 to 14 years providing they free boarding and lodging facilities. The centre houses children who have run away from houses, destitute children caught for non-serious offenses, children rescued from child labourers and also those who are freed from child traffickers. It also under takes free health check-up and provides free education for the children housed here. Apart from this, children addicted to substance abuse and other vices will be admitted here after their detoxification in the de-addiction centre. A total of 88 children (51 Boys and 37 girls) admitted to Chinnara Thangudhama through CWC, Mangaluru and Children have been rehabilitated and returned to their parents.

5) Does Prajna charge for its services?

No. Services are provided free of cost.

6) How many persons have you helped so far?

Over 2 lac directly and 3 lac indirectly

7) How do you help people help themselves?

We help themselves to come out from their problems through a series of counseling and BCC sessions and through process of empowerment in various spheres.

8) What is the root cause of mental disturbance and alcoholism?

There are many cause active factors why a person abuses alcohol it can be due to mental stress, curiosity, work and family pressures for some it is a coping mechanism to deal with any psychological pressure, conflict, stress or pain.

9) Who are the main persons who help you in your cause? How do they help you?

Women, children, youth, addicts, differently challenged and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs)

10) How do you manage the funds to run Prajna?

Government grants & foreign funds

11) Do you get Government aid or help?

Yes, both Central & State Government

12) How do you create social awareness about the problems that affect society?

By conducting awareness building programmes street theatre, trainings, sensitization, workshops, counseling & Behaviour change communication sessions.

13) Whose co-operation would help?

State actors Government functionaries, & community multi-stake holders, (Women & Youth Groups, SHGs) CBOs, CSOs, NGOs, Corporate sectors.