Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Mapping Polio Booths

After a car accident on 14 April early morning at 3.45 am, I returned with a crack in my left scaphoid, and bruises in both the legs. I find it difficult to operate my laptop with single hand as I use both my hands fully while on a PC. Anyhow, I guided my colleagues and got the mapping done for one of the crucial wards in Howrah Municipal Corporation - Ward 46. This is a high risk ward. We had over 700 resistant families in July 2011. Now there are little less than 400, and we cover about 350 highly resistant families. You may view the map below for details. The red dots are the locations of polio booths and a click on the booths will pop up the details for each location.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Chelsea

This is not about the famous European soccer team. This is about a student from Seattle University who stayed with me three years ago. Chelsea was the first student to come to me "officially" as an intern. She was amazingly simple, and shared the joys and sufferings I went through in those days in 2009. She was someone to whom I could open my heart and confide. She could see through human heart and understand the underlying pain every person undergoes. Amazingly simple. She left an indelible mark in my life. Though I never wrote much about her in any of my posts, she kept coming back to my mind repeatedly, and so I thought I must write about her. 

Chelsea, for the rosy cheeks she had, was adorably honest with what she said. During her three months of stay, she would come straight and say if she would like to have something or would say how she can contribute to improve something. Gentle to the core, her words were never hurtful. I wish I had more time to spend with this extraordinary woman, who would only go up in life. (Update: Chelsea is now in South America as a Peace Corps volunteer.)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Mapping the Early Warning Systems

The Tide and Wind Information System that we started for the benefit of people in the coastal West Bengal (mainly the Sunderbans) is now nearly nine months old. It is also time to map where we are working and to share it with everyone. As a matter of fact there is a lot more to be done, specially in terms of area outreach. The investment on each location costs about 14,000 rupees (280 US $). To manage the costs, we are looking for partner organizations and individuals who can support us in this venture. In G-Plot, where our researches are being held in setting this system, a local organization (IDASS) is supporting us for the location and volunteers for updating the message, and CKS is funding the costs. In Brajabhallavpur all locations are being sponsored by Concern Worldwide and their partners Sabuj Sangha and ECHO. The time is short as the next monsoon season is just about 50 days from now. And we must reach to at least 50 villages by then....if God willing. Below is the map of the places where already TWIS system is set up. Viewers can click on the dots and know more details about the location.