Climate Change and Solar Energy Programme

Natural Resource Management (NRM) addressing Climate Change by Gender Mainstreaming through Solar Energy is one of the pilot project of SKC funded by MISEREOR. The overall goal of the project is to strengthen and improve the socio economic conditions of approx 2000 families from 20 villages situated at West Midnapur through access to solar energy.

Main Objectives of the Project:

- Provide training to the villagers on using solar energy and make a living through the assemblage of solar lights.

- To sensitize the youth on Climate Change and its consequences.

- To ensure that in all 20 targeted villages, households without electricity will be benefited with solar lamps for light and energy from solar cookers.

Activities which will be conducted during this project period:

- Training of 200 men and women in assembling solar lamps.

- Formation of one self help group per village, responsible for production and marketing of solar technology products.

- Conduct an awareness building programme for the villages on solar energy, the management of natural resources, climate change and health.

- Accessing government funding for solar energy and water management technologies for village communities.

- Organize regular meeting for villagers, technicians and members of self help groups to exchange experiences.

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Introduction Session

Discussing about the Climate Change Project

Project Coordinator briefing about Climate Change Project

Village Level Workers filling their contract

Discussion on importance of Solar Technology

Understanding PLA

Orientation on SKC Child Protection Policy

Workshop on Swine Flu

Swine flu (N1H1) influenza spreads from person to person or infected pigs to person.

Due to rise in number of swine flu cases in Kolkata, SKC organised an awareness workshop on the 'Spread of Swine Flu and its Preventive Measures' on February 27, 2015.

Three interns from Chittaranjan Calcutta Medical College namely Dr. Jit Sarkar, Dr. Khalid Saifullah and Dr. Mrinmoy Bera conducted the workshop. The following causes and precautions of Swine Flu were discussed. 

SYMPTOMS:

- Fever

- Coug

- Sore throat

- Running nose

- Headache

- Chills

- Fatigue

- Vomiting and Diarrhea

PRECAUTIONS:

- Wash your hands with soap at least two times before eating anything.

-  Do not touch your eyes and nose too often.

- Cover your mouth while sneezing and use a handkerchief while coughing.
- Drink a lot of water.

- Take proper rest and isolate yourself in case of signs of flu.

A large number of people attended and benefited from the awareness cum interactive session where they could directly clarify their doubts to the doctors.

From Darkness to Light

A 3 kWp Solar Wind Hybrid Power Plant has been installed at Satjelia Sukumari Village, Gosaba Block, Sunderban on February 21, 2015. It was inaugurated by Rev. Father Oswald Xalxo.

The programme began by thanking our partners and collaborators ABCD and PUSB members for their constant support in the project completion; Misereor for funding the project and Natural Systems for setting up the power plant. 

This was followed by the guests present on the dias expressing their thoughts about the initiative - 'light is very important for our everyday needs, especially for the school going children.'

Two school going children performed a dance song on light "esho alo...." and a special song was prepared by Mr. Shankar.

The ceremony concluded with yet another dance performance followed by visiting of one of the beneficiary house to see how the solar lights work after being successfully installed.

"Shishu Mela - the celebration of childhood"

SKC (Extn), Kharagpur and Namasole Pally Samity along with its supporting agencies - Kolkata Trust for Human Development & Indienhilfe eV., Herrsching, Germany; organised a three-day 'Shishu Mela' from January 19 - 21, 2015 at Baligeria Haat Ground, Nayagram.

The celebration included cultural and awareness programmes, skits, dance drama, etc performed by the students participating from different organisations. "It is a really good platform for the students to showcase their hidden talents", said Mr. Prafulla Kr Singh (Head Master, Baligeria High School).

Also, four informative stalls on Education, Nutrition, Health and Dignity were put up to raise awareness.

By the end of each day, all participants received an appreciation certificate for their performances. And 10 children from the most backward villages received 'Shishu Mela' Scholarship to fulfill their dreams.

 

Lighting of the lamp

Skit by Junior Students

Stall at Shishu Mela

Distribution of certificates

Press Release

Upcoming Event

December 2014

SHISHUMELA AND PEACE RALLY

Mega events organized in the biggest slum of Kolkata

 

Seva Kendra Calcutta and 20 other leading NGOs have organized two events:

1)  Shishumela (Children’s Fair) on 20^th and 21^st December 2014

Shishumela will be held on the Muslim Camp Ground of the Tangra Slum in Kolkata. The purpose of Shishumela is to create a common platform to bring the children and the families together and create awareness of the rights and wellbeing of all children. 

Various activities have been lined up during this event by the NGOs. They will setup different stalls which will showcase their work with children. The Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, local clubs and the community religious leaders are also actively participating in this mega event. The KMC has decided to put up a stall as well focusing on their engagement on eradication and control of malaria, TB, etc; the Kolkata Police will provide awareness on different issues related to safety and security of children and people in the area.

2) A Peace Rally on 21^st December 2014. 

The Peace Rally will be held in the morning of 21^st December 2014 in the same Muslim Camp Ground area of the Tangra Slum.  This Peace Rally aims to bring together people from various walks of life and from different faith beliefs and build mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity among the people living in the community.

Police, local club members along with community leaders will also join the rally. 

Many people are expected to participate in these events. 

"Sunday Haat" in Seva Kendra Calcutta

On Sunday, September 28, 2014, the Urban Agricultural Unit of Seva Kendra Calcutta 

organized a "Sunday Haat". Mr. Eugene Gonsalves, President of the All India Catholic Union 

and member of the Governing Board of Seva Kendra Calcutta inaugurated the "Sunday 

Haat". After breakfast, Ms.Maria Fernandes led the gathering in prayer. Fr. Franklin 

Menezes explained the purpose of "Sunday Haat" and urged the people to implement urban 

agriculture in their homes. Mr. Nilangshu Gain explained the importance of urban 

agriculture and informed the gathering that every Sunday between 9 am and 12 pm one 

can come and buy garden fresh vegetables, mushrooms, seasonal fruits, country eggs etc. 

The people can also come to Seva Kendra Calcutta and receive hands-on-training on 

making small gardens at home. One can come and buy seeds, saplings, pots, manure, pest 

controllers, farming tools etc.