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Spirulina expert visits Nadukkupam |
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Gilles Planchon, a spirulina consultant from France, has spent the last 2 months working at Nadukkupam field with the women from the SHG and the spirulina co ordinator to improve production at the unit. Gilles vast international experience working with spirulina production with rural communities has been of great benefit to the unit.
Whilst at Nadukkupam Field Gille has experimented with and developed: Recommendations for improved quality; Low cost solar drying techniques and simplified production methods.
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Over 100 women gathered at Nadukkupam
Women’s Centre to celebrate women’s day.  Women from 30 different SHG attended. Nadukkupam Community coordinators Parvathy and Balamurugan organised Kolam making competitions, active games and a
presentation ceremony. Sakthi SHG from Sevidenkuppam
won an award for their outstanding achievements. This SHG has successfully
organized an organic nursery which has already generated income for the group. Alamelu from Sembaruthi, won an award for her
achievements as a SHG leader. The judges, the Block Development Officer,
the local Bank Manager and Panchayat were particularly impressed with her
organizational and problem solving skills and her participation in training sessions.
This important event was one of the thousands being held
throughout the world on Women’s Day, 8th March. Women’s Day celebrates and highlights the
importance of women and their political, economic and social achievements.
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256 people attended a traditional medicine Health camp in the village of M.Thirukanur on 17th March. Before the camp the medicinal dispensary staff based at Nadukupam Field Community Women’s Centre prepared a variety of traditional medicines that are picked from the Medicinal herbal garden on site and gathered from the local surrounding area.
At the health camp participants were registered, weighed and depending on their complaint, referred to the appropriate traditional healer who recommend the appropriate treatment.
The health practioners will visit M.Thirukanur village a further 2 times to monitor the progress of the patients and administer any further herbal medicines that are required. The camp was well attended by local villagers.
Nadukkupam Field Community Women's staff have conducted 50 health camps in the last 10 years and have funds and are planning to conduct a further 4 camps. |
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 At 11.00am, every school day, up to 100 primary and senior schools students at the government primary and secondary schools in Nadukuppam queue for a “healthy drink”. These students were identified as being underweight during a routine health check conducted by NEC outreach staff. Students receive a tasty and nutritious drink which is balanced to provide protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in an easily digestible form. The drink contains spirulina which is grown at Nadukuppam field and is donated to the program. The drink also contains a variety of locally available products including raggi, jaggery and cashew nuts.
In the afternoons the students also have a nutritious snack such as chick peas or peanuts. Senior school students taking part in the program have gained 3 kg in a 10 month period and primary school students nearly 2 kg over a 6 month period. |
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 At NEEC field, a four-room building has just been completed. It will be used as an office to coordinate women's self help groups (SHG), nursery and agricultural activities, provide storage space and to accommodate visiting school groups, workers, teachers and the community coordinator. One room will be used as a spirulina production space as part of the future NEEC field spirulina farm. It will be run by 2 members of a Nadukuppam women’s self help group, who are currently being trained by PBRC staff as an income generating measure.
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