Guwahati, July 19, 2024: The Hans Foundation (THF) has joined hands with the Government of Assam to launch two initiatives aimed at improving education and healthcare in tea garden communities. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for students and tea estate workers across the region.
The "Uttam Xikhya" initiative aims to improve secondary education in 100 tea garden schools over five years, providing quality education, teacher training, STEM labs, ICT resources, and community-based learning centers for grades 6-12.
Concurrently, the Foundation has launched 24 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) to serve 120 tea gardens in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district.
In collaboration with the Department of Labour, Government of Assam, The Hans Foundation has launched 24 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) dedicated to serving 120 tea gardens across the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts. This landmark initiative, aimed at enhancing healthcare access for tea estate workers and their families, was celebrated in a launch event held at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate, Tinsukia.
This initiative represents a significant commitment to improving healthcare delivery in remote tea garden areas. The Mobile Medical Units are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals. Each MMU will feature an MBBS doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and lab technician, providing essential services such as OPD consultations, free medicines, diagnostic tests, and counselling.
The MMUs are set to conduct 22 medical camps every month and will offer doorstep services, ensuring comprehensive healthcare reaches even the most isolated communities. Services will include home visits for the elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as referrals to tertiary care centers for critical cases.
The Hans Foundation will cover the project implementation costs and offer free healthcare services to beneficiaries. Support from the Labour Welfare Department and district administrations will facilitate regular administrative assistance, reinforcing the effort to address health disparities among vulnerable populations in these remote tea garden regions.
The Hans Foundation and the Government of Assam have formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Mamata Hojai, Director of Secondary Education, and Krishna, Senior Regional Manager of The Hans Foundation. The "Uttam Xikhya" initiative aims to elevate education for students in grades 6-12, aligning with the PM SHRI initiative.
Speaking on the occasion Mamata Hojai, AES, Director, Secondary Education, said, "We are thrilled to partner with The Hans Foundation in this transformative initiative. 'Uttam Xikhya' is not just about improving academic performance, it is about empowering our students with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in life."
Krishna, Senior Regional Manager at The Hans Foundation, expressed his commitment to the initiative "This MoU signifies our commitment to improving the educational landscape in Assam. By working closely with the Education Department, we aim to create a sustainable and impactful change in the lives of students in Tea Garden areas."
The initiative will also focus on life skills education and career guidance to better prepare students for their future. By integrating technology, THF aims to make learning engaging and accessible. The program will involve parents, teachers, and community members to support students' development and partner with local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to ensure the initiative is sustained and supported on the ground.
This initiative will be rolled out in phases to ensure a thoughtful and effective implementation. This approach will allow the program to be tailored to the specific needs of each school and its students, with ongoing evaluation to drive continuous improvement.
