80% of Kids Below Five Are Malnourished In Bihar

PM Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said levels of under-nutrition in the country were “unacceptably high” despite impressive GDP growth, and did not hesitate in accepting that malnutrition is a national shame.The pronouncement resonates in the state even though several health indicators have shown an upward trend, including high vaccination percentage, for which chief minister Nitish Kumar became the first recipient of the Gates Vaccine Innovation Award

Though several initiatives have been launched to address malnutrition, particularly among children, adolescent girls and pregnant women, Bihar accounts for nearly 58% malnutrition among children, which is above the national average of 46%. The situation gets compounded as 80% of children below five years of age are malnourished. Again, around 2/3rd women in child bearing age are malnourished in the state, the highest in the country. The figures entail a simple and clear message – a greater effort is required to remove the malady.

High incidence of malnutrition among children can be attributed to several factors which include low intake of nutritious food, non-availability of quality health services, absence of adequate community workers, low institutional delivery and non-access to cheap medicines. These apart, social practices such as early marriage and pregnancy and lack of breastfeeding, too, contribute to higher malnutrition rate in the state. There are other hindrances, too, that include low birth weight babies, non-spacing of children and anaemia among women.

However, state health department has initiated several measures recently to combat malnutrition. Says health secretary Sanjay Kumar, “A three-pronged strategy has been unveiled in the state to combat malnutrition.”

First, he said, a 30-bed nutritional rehabilitation centre (NRC) is running in all the 38 districts of the state, primarily focusing on acute malnourished children. Second, programmes are being run under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), run by the department of social welfare, which include those aiming to change behavioural patterns related to early marriage, non-spacing of children and lack of breastfeeding.

Third, the health department has launched micronutrient programmes, which include providing vitamin A capsules and iron supplements, improved diet for pregnant women along with advocating the benefits of consumption of iodized salt. The programme running at every health sub-centre across the state aims to counter malnourishment which is a major challenge facing the state, admits Kumar.

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A Big Thank You to Sunil Sinha!

Paper Kite Children’s Foundation would like to extend a big thank you to Sunil Sinha for his generous donation of $2000!

Originally from Bihar, Sunil understands first-hand how important it is for organizations like Paper Kite to provide funding for the basic necessities and social programs promoting children’s education and health in Bihar.

Sunil had wanted to be a part of this year’s Paper Kite Team heading to Bihar in February, but is unable to go. In a gesture of immense kindness and generosity,  Sunil donated the money he was going to use to fund his trip to Paper Kite. In addition, Sunil has also shown tremendous support for our organization by trying to secure resources to assist our team in purchasing items for the orphanages once the team arrives in Bihar.

Thank you so much Sunil for your support and helping us meet our goal!

Hundreds of Malnourished Children Suffering from AFP in Bihar

Hundreds of children in Bihar’s East Champaran district bordering Nepal, have been found suffering from Acute Flaccid Paralysis due to malnutrition, officials said on Thursday.

Officials said that 442 children in the district were found suffering from AFP.

“AFP in children was detected when the United Nations Children’s Fund sent stool samples of 542 children of the district to Luckhnow for test,” the official said.

Dr Anil Kumar Singh,a district official, said that AFP in children is caused by malnutrition. District civil surgeon Dr Kameshwar Mandal said that during the polio immunisation campaign, some children were reportedly found to be suffering from paralysis.

Earlier this year, the State government launched a special programme addressing malnutrition in children. The programme was rolled out at every health sub-centre at each village across the state, with focus on removing malnutrition among children, young girls and pregnant women.

Latest government data has said that Bihar accounts for 58 per cent malnutrition among children which is above the national average of 46 per cent.

AFP is a clinical manifestation characterised by weakness or paralysis and reduced muscle tone without other obvious cause.

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Fundraiser – Paper Kite 2012 Desk Calendars for $20

This holiday season, Paper Kite Children’s Foundation is selling 2012 Desk Calendars for $20. All profits will go directly to the orphanages we support, and it will be one of our last fundraisers before our Paper Kite team travels to Bihar in February 2012.

Buy this gift for yourself or in honour of someone you love. The desk calendar includes 13 pages stacked in a jewel case and also promotions and discounts at local Vancouver businesses.

Visit our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150553504495278.469682.286089400277&type=3 for more information on the calendars.

If you are interested in purchasing a calendar, please email socialmedia@paperkitefoundation.com

What can $20 do?

1. $20 can provide nutritious meals for one child for a whole month.

2. $20 can provide school supplies for one child for a whole year.

3. $20 can provide medical supplies for one child for a whole year.

Give a gift of love this holiday season!

Bihar 2012 – Join Us On Our Next Trip

Our next trip to Bodhgaya, Bihar, India is scheduled for 10 – 25 February 2012. Bodhgaya is where Buddha achieved enlightenment. Volunteers can choose to come for the whole trip or parts of the trip, depending on your availability. Our President, Tarik Kadri, will be going and leading the group of volunteers again this year. As a guide, he knows how to get around India, where to stay, and where to eat. Tarik will also assist with obtaining your India visa and booking your flights.

Our primary purpose of our field work is to purchase items from the local village and deliver them to the orphanages. There are opportunities to conduct research/write field blogs, teach the children languages or activities or sports, and take photos and videos of the children for Paper Kite.

Why volunteer in India with Paper Kite?

• Our focus is on improving the lives of those most at risk in one of the poorest regions on earth.
• We are a 100% volunteer run charity.
• All the volunteers travelling to Bihar pay for their travel and living expenses. We ask volunteers to look for sponsorship and do personal fundraisers to off-set the cost to India. This ensures that all donated money to Paper Kite goes to the children.
• Be apart of and see how Paper Kite implements our four programs. Volunteer directly with the children.
• Gain international volunteer experience without paying a service charge. You only pay for your travel and expenses.
• Go with Paper Kite’s President, an experienced India traveller who will assist and support you before and during the trip.

Approximate Cost for Field Work from 10 – 25 February 2012:

•Flight from Vancouver & Toronto (Return): $1100
•India Visa: $80
•Local Travel: $100 – $200
•Hotel: $10 per night (Single), $5 Double
•Food: $5 per day

Approximate Total: $1580

For more information, please feel free to contact our President, Tarik Kadri directly. Email: president@paperkitefoundation.com. Phone: 604.800.0950 Vancouver or 647.460.KITE (5843) Toronto.

India ‘close to wiping out polio’

India has “never been closer” to wiping out polio, India’s health minister has declared as he marked World Polio Day.

There have been no new cases for more than nine months, making it the longest polio-free period since the global eradication campaign was launched.

The only case reported this year was in the state of West Bengal in January. There were 39 cases reported over a similar period in 2010.

India is one of only four countries in the world where polio is still endemic.

The virus is also prevalent in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

“We are close to our goal but are not taking any chances,” Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Monday.

“Efforts will be further intensified in the country to stop any residual polio virus circulation and also to prevent any polio cases following an international importation,” he said.

Officials now say that any new case of polio would be dealt with as a public health emergency.

For decades health officials and non-governmental organisations have administered large-scale immunisation programmes as India battled the debilitating disease.

But the health ministry reported that no cases were reported from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh for 18 months and no cases have been reported from Bihar over the last 13 months.

Analysts say that these are encouraging signs.

Uttar Pradesh has been one of the worst-affected regions in the world’s fight against polio with hundreds of cases reported until a few years ago.

Of the 549 polio cases in India in 2008, 297 were in Uttar Pradesh.

India’s efforts to reduce polio cases have been praised by international health organisations.

Every year, India holds two national immunisation days in January and February and on each of these days, nearly 170.2 million children are given polio drops.

A highly infectious disease, polio tends to strike children aged under five. It invades the nervous system, leading to irreversible paralysis.

There is no cure, but a vaccine of mouth droplets can give good protection.

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Ironman Competitors Raised $4000 for Paper Kite!

On August 28, 2011,  Dr. Sukhi Muker, Deanna Tomlinson, and Lanny Taschuk competed in one of the most challenging single day sporting events, Ironman Canada. Held in Penticton, BC, these 3 competitors completed a 3.8Km swim, a 180Km bike, and a 42.2Km run all in one day. In addition to competing in Ironman Canada, they also raised approximately $4000 dollars for Paper Kite Children’s Foundation. Half of the donations came from supporters of the athletes, and the other half was from a partnership formed by Dr. Sukhi and Organic Lives.

All of us at Paper Kite would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Deanna Tomlinson, Lanny Taschuk, Organic Lives and especially to our Board Member, Dr. Sukhi, for their contribution to our cause of helping orphans in Bihar. We also want to congratulate the three competitors on successfully completing Ironman Canada!

If you would like to read about Dr. Sukhi’s experience, visit his blog at: http://www.drsukhi.com/ironman-2011

Below is a video of his experience:

Ironman Fundraiser for Paper Kite

On August 28, 2011, three amazing athletes, Dr. Sukhi Muker (a director and healer for Optimal Living in West Vancouver and a Board Member for Paper Kite), Lanny Taschuk (a kinesiologist), and Deanna Tomlinson (an accounting technician) will be racing in Ironman Canada in Penticton, B.C.

Ironman is one of the most challenging single day sporting events in the world and it consists of a 2.4 mile (3.8 Km) open water swim, a 112 miles (180Km) bike ride through steep mountain passes, and a 26.2 miles (42.2Km) run.

As these three athletes fulfill their aspirations, they are also fundraising for the orphans of Bihar so those children can also be on their way to achieving their dreams.Please donate to this worthy cause by clicking on the link below:

http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=13866

If you would like to read more about our Board Member, Dr. Sukhi’s inspiration to compete in Ironman Canada visit his blog.

More information on the athletes can be found here: Ironman Paperkite Fundraiser

About 20 million kids in India are orphans

About 20 million children, about 4% of their population in India and higher than people living in Delhi, are orphan. Of them, parents of only 0.3% children have died and rest have been abandoned. The figure is result of a study done by SOS Children’s Village by analyzing data from

National Family Health Survey-3 for the year 2005-06 and the population estimation by the Census of India to find the dark spots for children below the age of 18 in India.

It were the poorer states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, which had higher number of orphan children as compared to richer northern and southern states of India. As a result, the central zone has highest number of orphan children followed by east zone. The two zones also cover most of the naxal affected regions in India.

“Poverty has been a significant contributor in high orphan children in these states,” said Rakesh Jinsi, secretary general of the NGO SOS Children’s Village. “Social unrest and terror — militancy and naxalism — are two another major factors behind the high number of orphans in certain states”.

Orphan children for the study were defined as those abandoned and whose both parents have died. Situation of children with single parent has also been analysed in the study.

India has the highest population of children below the age of 18 — 41% of the total population. Although over 4% of them are orphan as per the study, around 13% of them live with either of their parent.

But what the study highlight is that a large number of children in India struggle to survive leave alone having access to education and other welfare measures. Some of these children end up being trafficked or pushed into illegal works.

“Many of the children who are trafficked are those whose parents have died or they have been abandoned,” said a senior government official.

The only good news the study presents is that the overall estimation of orphan children in%age terms is expected to fall by 2021 although their number will increase from present 20 million to 24 million. However, there is no comparative data to indicate whether the number of orphan children has increased or decreased.

The SOS Children Village did not present the segregated data on sex-ratio these children to find out whether abandoning of the children is based sex of the child or not.

“In case of poor people abandoning is more because of economic reasons than gender,” said Jinsi.

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Featured Volunteer – JOHANNES JENKNER

We are thrilled to present Johannes as our Featured Volunteer this quarter. As one of the more senior Paper Kite Volunteers, he has been an asset to newer volunteers learning about the organization and the work we do.

Johannes has shown his continued commitment to Paper Kite by being a key player in organizing the recent Healing Day event, which brought in over $1,600 for our organization by providing various treatments, such as massages, reiki, etc., by donation. Johannes also traveled to Bihar in February 2011 and assisted Paper Kite in funding projects for the orphanages we support.

Thank you, Johannes, for continuing to be an example to fellow volunteers!

Watch the video below to learn more about Johannes’ volunteer experience with Paper Kite.