Mrida Newsletter-November 2024
"Stories of Change and Progress Await Inside!"
Dear Supporters and Well Wishers of Mrida,
As the new academic year 2024-25 kicked off in July, we were thrilled to welcome 27 new students, bringing our family to a remarkable 155 hostelers, 125 day scholars, and 4 supported students. This year, for the first time, we have children as young as five years old in our hostel, and the care they receive from their older peers has been nothing short of heartwarming. It is a testament to the growing trust placed in us by the community. Every child symbolizes hope, and nurturing their potential is our highest priority.
Felicitating Our Stars: Students and Staff
We recently celebrated the remarkable dedication of our 14 staff members, who have tirelessly supported our mission for over five years. These team members are the true backbone of our organization — teaching, caring for, and even cooking for the children daily. Their unwavering commitment and hard work continue to make a meaningful impact on our community. In addition to the staff, we also celebrated the top-ranking students from each class for the academic year of 2023-24. Read about our academic update for the previous year here. Seeing their smiles as they received their awards was a moment of pure joy!
Empowering Girls Through Health Education
This quarter, our partnership with Simply Sports Foundation brought a transformative Menstrual Health Workshop to 794 girls across 34 schools in 25 villages. Designed to break cultural taboos and provide essential knowledge, the workshop marked a critical step toward a healthier and more empowered future for these young women. Through the workshop, we gathered eye-opening insights: 85% of the girls had begun menstruating, yet 77% were unfamiliar with correct anatomical terms. Cultural practices also revealed deep-rooted beliefs — 73 girls reported being discouraged from religious activities during their periods, and 45 were still restricted from entering the kitchen. Notably, only 1% of participants felt confident speaking with their fathers about menstruation, underscoring the need for greater awareness and open conversations within families. Empowering young girls and educating parents alike is key to fostering a supportive environment around menstrual health.
Health Updates: Addressing Anaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia
Health remains a cornerstone of our mission. On July 29 and September 26, we conducted health checks focusing on anaemia and sickle cell anaemia, screening over 250 individuals. We discovered 4 carriers of sickle cell anaemia and diagnosed 2 cases — children who now receive the care they need. We also encountered 27 cases of chickenpox and 20 cases of scabies and fungal infections. To combat these health challenges, we’ve implemented a nutrition plan rich in iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12. As the well-being of our students is our top priority, these health initiatives are a vital part of ensuring they can thrive both in and out of the classroom. This quarter, our medical expenses totaled ₹33,609, emphasizing the need for ongoing support to sustain and enhance our community’s health services. Our quarterly medical costs generally range between ₹35,000 and ₹40,000.
Sports continues to be a point of pride for Mrida!
This quarter, 13 of our talented girls were selected for the AIFF Junior Girls National Football Championship in Karnataka, and two boys represented us at the Junior Boys National Championship in Assam. In total, 35 students from Mrida represented Madhya Pradesh at the Junior and Sub-Junior Girls and Boys National Football Championships — a remarkable milestone, with 23% of our residential students competing at this level for the first time in the region. These achievements show that, with the right support, our students are ready to tackle any challenge!
But it’s not just on the football field where our students excelled.
Technology and Programming on the National Stage and Beyond
At the CEL Kids Hackathon 2024, our young coders made us proud, securing 1st, 2nd, and 4th places. They developed innovative projects that addressed the UN Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing the power of technology in shaping a better world. Read More
Hostel Updates: A New Beginning for Girls
We’re thrilled to announce that our new girls’ hostel is now operational! This facility offers a safe, comfortable space for our female students, allowing them to fully focus on their education and personal growth. To support their well-being, regular health check-ups and a thorough anemia screening program are also in place. With this addition, we’re currently renting four buildings to accommodate all our activities — highlighting the growing need for a dedicated campus of our own.
Support Us, Support Them!
As we roll out nutrition plans and treatments, your support can play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding these efforts. By contributing, you’ll help improve healthcare outcomes, education standards and improve the sports calibre for all our children and eventually strengthen the well-being of the tribal community we serve. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the care they deserve, allowing them to grow up healthy and hopeful for the future.
Let’s keep this journey of providing equity alive — together. Donate
On this World Kindness Day, help us keep the flame of empowerment alive — together, we can make a difference.
Warm regards,
Priya Nadkarni & Digvijay Singh
Founders- Mrida Education and Welfare Society
#ConnectingWithPurpose