In the epic 'Ramayana', Vaanar Sena (or the monkey troop) helped Rama in battle against Ravana. In Jabalpur, a group of children who have taken the name of this army are involved in promoting cleanliness and sanitation of the villages they live in.
Two Panchayats where Jabalpur ADP works received the Nirmal Gram Puraskar (Clean Village Award), a drive by the Government to achieve 100% in rural India. Gudgawa Panchayat is close to achieve the award this year thanks to the children group, Vaanar Sena.
Diarrhoea, skin infections and water borne disease are very common in the villages largely due to unhygienic living conditions. People used to defecate in open grounds and women went out when it is dark. insect bites were also common because of this.
In its sanitation drive, ADP Jabalpur assisted the people to build their toilets but it was hard to change the old practices and the mindset in spite of many awareness programmes. This led to the formation of ‘Vaanar Sena’ a group of children clubs to monitor the process.
Children used to go around the village during the morning and evening and would talk to people who are seen with a ‘lota’ and they encourage them to use the toilets. It took one and a half months for the children to ensure cleanliness in the village.
The project reports that the incidence of diarrhoea has come down and clean roads and lanes are a very common site in the villages.
This practice is also replicated in other villages. ADP Jabalpur is expecting more villages to win the award this year.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, caste, race, ethnicity or gender.
