Background:
Her husband used to work as a labourer for Rs. 35 per day (approximately $1), but it was almost impossible to find work every day of the month. Between them they were unable to provide for their family and they struggled through many hardships.

A couple of years previously, when one of her children was ill, Mrs Murmu had to borrow Rs 1,000 from a money lender. The interest rate was 10% and Mrs Murmu also had to mortgage 1 bigha of her land for the same amount.

Bikash involvement:
Around the same time, she joined a newly-formed CASHE self help group and participated and saved within it. After a few months she was able to take out a loan of Rs 4,000 from BIKASH as well as a loan from the group and with that she bought a mosaic machine.

Result:
Mrs Murmu’s husband knew how to operate the machine and together they earned Rs 100 per day. Within 9 months they were able to get the mortgaged land back from the moneylender.

Now whenever Mrs Murmu is in need of money she first approaches the self help group. Her living standard has improved considerably and she has a family income of over Rs 3,000 which affords the basic necessities for life.

In Reproduction and Child Health

Rina Roy belongs to a middle class family of 5. She lives with her husband, in-laws and young daughter. The family possess 1 bigha of infertile land. Her husband is a labourer and the family is wholly dependent on his income to survive. This is the story of successful intervention by a Bikash trained and supported health worker:

Background:
At 7 months pregnant Rina Roy experienced abdominal pain and vomiting, but did not think she required any gynaecological investigation and her husband and in-laws were reluctant to take her to the hospital for a check-up. At the same time she was overburdened with housework which was having a detrimental effect on her overall health.

Bikash Involvement:
A health worker identified there was a problem during a home visit and tried on many occasions to persuade the family to take Rina immediately to the nearest hospital. Eventually they took her to hospital where a scan identified the abnormal downward position of the baby.

Result:
Returning to their home, the health visitor followed up and counselled the family to ensure that Rina took complete bed rest as advised by the doctor, ate 3 meals a day and took regular IFA tablets (iron and folic acid). Two months later she gave birth to a healthy baby.

Through continued home visits the health worker educated Rina on the essentials of new-born baby care and advised her to become more conscious of her own health issues.

In Disability Rehabilitation

Kousik Mondal is the only child of a middle class family. This is the beginning of a success story from his attendance at the Centre for Special Education .
Background:
In April 2003, aged 16 months Kousik was referred to BIKASH by the Indian Institute of Cerebral palsy in Kolkata. At that time Koushik could only conform supine and prone lying positions, when placed in them.

Bikash involvement:
Following a thorough assessment, the Centre provided intervention programmes in Physical Management – getting Kousik to roll and sit up, Early Learning – recognizing common objects and tracking them, Language & Communication – following simple commands.

Result ( after 16 months)
Koushik can now roll from supine to prone position, he has gained head control, can reach out with both arms and sit up from supine positions, bearing his weight through his arms. He can point to body parts, indicate left & right and recognise 10 common objects.

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