Children's Immunization - We Need Help !

With great sadness we received the message that UNICEF is withdrawing its programs relating to children's immunization program from West Bengal ! The news has come as a great shock to many. SWI is UNICEF's partner from February 2004. The recently published Human Development Report of the State notes that Malda district scores last in the Human Development Index and the other two districts of North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur stand in the 13th position on a scale of 17. That means, SWI covers the most vulnerable and most backward districts of West Bengal. It is very unfortunate that UNICEF has decided to withdraw its support. Imagine, we alone covered over 150,000 children of the most poor people of tribal and various ethnic groups who struggle to make their both ends meet. This withdrawal will also affect over 250 Staff who were dependent on this project for their minimum source of income. Imagine, the Social Mobilizers (volunteers who worked in 10 - 15 villages) earned just Rupees 300 ( 5 US $) a month for working on 8 to 9 days a month. Well, they served more as volunteers. Now, we need some immediate support. We have sent a proposal to Manos Unidas. As this project is extremely urgent, will someone come forward to help us, please! You may view the Project and the Budget by Clicking on : Project Proposal - RI 2007 -08, and Budget - RI 2007 - 08