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October 2003
Health and nutrition exhibition at Kiliveddy Maha Vidyalayam, Muthur DS Division, 26 and 27 September 2003
The Eastern Human Economic Development (EHED) in cooperation with the Integrated Food Security Programme Trincomalee (IFSP), the Departments of Education and Health Services, Agriculture, Fisheries, Palmyrah Board and Divisional Secretaries, conducted the 5th health and nutrition exhibition at the Kiliveddy Maha Vidyalayam on 26 and 27 September 2003. Earlier exhibitions were held in Paddithidal (2001), Muthur DS Division, Varothayanagar (2001), Kuchchaveli DS Division, Chenaiyoor (2002) Muthur DS Division, and Bakmeegama (2003), Gomarankadawela DS Division. The subjects of the exhibition were ‘healthy environment’ – ‘mother and child health care’ – ‘personal and public hygiene’.
Sixteen schools from Muthur and Seruvila DS Divisions participated in this year’s exhibition. They included Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese schools: Kiliveddy Maha Vidyalayam, Barathipuram Barathy Vidyalayam, Mallikaitheevu Maha Vidyalayam, Lingapuram Saraswathy Vidyalayam, Periyaveli Vidyalayam and pre-school, Manalchenai pre-school, Paddiththidal Vidyalayam, Thanganagar Sanpagavalli Vidyalayam, Kankuveli Agaththiyar Vidyalayam, Sampoor Vidyalayam, Somapura Vidyalayam, Dehiwatte Vidyalayam, Palaththoppoor pre-school, Pallikkudiyiruppu Kalaimagal Hindu College, Iruthayapuram Vidyalayam and Menkamam GTMS. Principals and teachers had organised the exhibition. Boy Scouts and Ambulance Scouts as well as the School Band from St. Joseph’s College Muthur took care of the social and cultural by-programme.
Students, either individually or according to class, had displayed models of home compounds, comparing a clean environment and a yard covered with garbage. When asked how their own compounds would look like, some boys answered: “rather dirty and full of garbage”. This was also addressed in some exhibits showing garbage as breeding grounds for mosquitoes compared to a clean environment.
Principals, teachers and visitors concluded that teachers, Village Health Volunteers and Public Health Inspectors need to intensify awareness for better public hygiene. Students need to advise their parents that everybody should take responsibility to keep their home and toilet, as well as public places clean.
A large number of self-produced exhibits, all with a focus on nutrition, health and environment were displayed. Most attractive were the stalls the students had organised to display locally available food items such as a large number of different green leaves, rice dishes, vegetable and fruit. Plenty of cooked food was displayed: Cassava based Roti mixed with green leaves, Payththu Urundai (balls made of green gram and sugar), teas were prepared from locally available herbs.
The Village Health Volunteers of EHED, Village Health Committees and the MOH Muthur presented attractive pictures with clear messages. The importance of breast-feeding and practising child feeding during the early months and after weaning was addressed. Other subjects were first aid after snakebite, prevention of communicable diseases and danger of alcoholism, family planning and personal hygiene. The Anti-Malaria Campaign Unit showed a documentary film on the prevention of Malaria and Dengue. Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO) launched a mental health unit to explain mental health disorders and possible treatment.
The Department of Agriculture introduced a number of varieties of food crops to stimulate home garden. Sprinkler and drip irrigation techniques for better cropping in dry areas were demonstrated. The Department of Forestry had put local trees on display that could be used as live fence and as fodder plant. Trees were distributed to the schools that participated in the exhibition. The Department of Fisheries had a whole classroom with many displays on marine and tank fish. The Palmyrah Board sold hats, bags, mats and baskets at affordable prices. IFSP Trincomalee presented the poster display of the drama documentation on the school feeding programme and on water supply, sanitation and hygiene, which was performed many times at schools throughout the district by the theatre group of AHAM.
More than two thousand school children and more than one thousand adults from villages in the DS Divisions of Muthur, Seruvila and Eachchilampattai visited the exhibition. All appeared to have enjoyed the displays and the colourful and exciting atmosphere. EHED provided the tasty mid-day meal, which IFSP had introduced to more than 60 schools in the district.
The prices (trophies and alarm clock) for the best displays went to the Kiliveddy Maha Vidyalayam (1st price), Sampoor Vidyalayam (2nd price) and Somapura Vidyalayam (3rd price). Prices were distributed by the chief guest, Mr. S. Nadarajah, DS Muthur and Rev. Sr. Jeyanthy from EHED. Consolidation prizes were received by 14 schools.
Asked their opinion about this year’s nutrition and health exhibition, people stated that they enjoyed it very much. The information on mother and child health care as well as family planning appeared to be very attractive subjects. Children in particular liked the documentary film show on the protection of Malaria and Dengue. Parents were very keen in gaining knowledge from the mental health unit. Many mothers asked for ideas to reduce their husbands habits of alcoholism. Additionally, all enjoyed the exhibition as a cultural event. Many people met neighbours and relatives and had a good opportunity to chat and to exchange information. The visitors praised the organisers and commended the high commitment of Rev. Sr. Jeyanthy from EHED, school principals, Zonal Director of Education and all the parents, teachers and students who made the exhibition a success.
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