Purpose of the initiative: EDIT imparts training in skills such as tailoring & embroidery, agarbathi/candle making, detergent/phenyl manufacturing, doll making, artificial jewellery and preparing processed food such as pickles & jams. These training programs are structured as weeklong programs to run for 15 hrs( 3 hrs a day from mon-fri). EDIT has clubbed the health education module wherein the skill trainers educate the women in early detection of non-communicable deceases in five modules at the end of each day for 30 minutes
Impact of the initiative: The skill development program Equitas Gyan Kendra has helped 549953 beneficiaries. As per a study commissioned by Equitas, the median value perception of beneficiaries for the skill development program was Rs 200 or twice the fee charged to the trainees. Another report states that 52% of those trained are earning between Rs 500-3000 pm additional income.
Purpose of the initiative: As a mark of its commitment to the down-trodden sections of the society, EDIT piloted its “Equitas Bird’s Nest” program to rehabilitate pavement dwellers. As per the 2001 Census conducted by Government of India, over 9000 families reside in the pavements of Chennai. Governmental interventions on providing alternative housing for these families have not worked since they disrupt the daily economic life of these families. In light of this, EDIT partnered with Unitus in rolling out the Equitas Bird’s Nest program in 2009.
Impact of the initiative: A dedicated team setup by EDIT identified 100 families residing in the pavement for the pilot phase of this initiative in 2009. The program was presented to these families and was launched with their support. As a first step of this program, financial support for housing was provided to these families. The financial support met the expenses of rental advance and the first 6 months’ rental expenses.
During this period, EDIT also provided skill development training to the adults in the families. Agarbathi (incense sticks) rolling, phenyl manufacturing and trading of fruits-and-vegetables and other vocational skills imparted to these families. The families used these skills to augment their income. With this increased income, these families are expected to afford their housing expenses.
During the period of support, Equitas provided grocery items worth Rs 350 per month (around $10) for free for a period of 6 months. At the end of the support phase, the families are expected to be self-sustainable. Till date 1991 families have attained self-sustainable status. Most of them have received Voters ID for the first time in their lives and have now started applying for ration cards thus getting mainstreamed with the community and are empowered to claim entitlements from the Government
Purpose of the initiative: EDIT understands that access to affordable healthcare is a key pain-point for LIH families. Towards bridging this gap, health camps are conducted in partnership with leading hospitals and health care providers which include general health camps, eye camps, cancer detection camps etc. EDIT has Apart from primary health camps, EDIT has also established partnerships with a wide range of hospitals. These partner hospitals have agreed to provide subsidized quality healthcare services to people from LIH. people wishing to avail of this service contact EDIT, who will direct them to the nearest hospital best suited to address their ailment.
Impact of the initiative: EDIT has conducted health camps and till date over 6107985 people have benefitted and distributed 116564 spectacles and conducted 32520 free cataract operations till date As per an internal study, median value perception of beneficiaries for the health camps and health helpline services were Rs 850 (around $20) and Rs 9000 ($225) respectively.
The inpatient treatment discounts have benefited over 26228 beneficiary’s data shows that they have derived a savings of 1.25M $
Health Education in Partnership with Microcredit summit and Freedom from Hunger:The model developed by Freedom from hunger on educating women on Non communicable deceases is imparted to all those who undergo Skill Training, through this they are able to detect NCD’s at an early stage, EDIT trains 50000 women a year through this module
Sugam clinics: Based on popular demand another new service has been piloted, specifically to address doctors consultation for women from LIH segment, who normally would like to consult a doctor for their family, under this model at EDIT clinic a qualified doctor will be available from 10-1 pm and a small fee of Rs 30 is charged to make it sustainable, the patients history is documented and medicines prescribed, EDIT has opened 2 such clinics and proposes to scale up in the coming years