HEALTH AND HYGIENE PROMOTION
In rural communities where access to healthcare is often limited and awareness around hygiene remains low, holistic well-being can easily be overlooked. Recognizing the vital link between health and empowerment, The Sivakasi Don Bosco Society, through its vibrant rural centre Don Bosco Vidivelli, Kalavasal, has embedded health and hygiene promotion as a cornerstone of its mission. With the dedicated partnership of the Desai Foundation Trust and SPS India Foundation, the centre has launched a series of community health initiatives aimed at improving the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children, youth, women, and their families.
Health is the foundation upon which education, growth, and empowerment are built. Guided by this belief, Don Bosco Vidivelli regularly conducts General Health Checkups, Primary Health and Hygiene Awareness Sessions, and Eye Screening Camps to bring critical services directly to underserved populations. These efforts not only ensure timely intervention and care but also cultivate a long-term culture of preventive health and personal well-being in the villages surrounding Kalavasal.
The General Health Checkups are carried out by qualified medical professionals and focus on early detection of common illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, and developmental concerns. Children and adults alike benefit from these screenings, which often become the first step in accessing broader healthcare support. Similarly, Eye Checkup Camps help identify vision problems that, when left unaddressed, can hinder academic performance, mobility, and overall quality of life. Follow-ups, prescriptions, and in many cases, access to affordable corrective solutions are provided with compassion and care.
Complementing these clinical services are Hygiene and Health Awareness Programs—interactive sessions that empower participants with practical knowledge on topics such as personal cleanliness, handwashing techniques, menstrual hygiene, safe drinking water practices, and disease prevention. These awareness drives are particularly impactful among school children and women, who carry these lessons back into their homes, influencing healthier practices at the household level.
What sets these health initiatives apart is their community-centric approach. The programs are designed not just as one-time interventions, but as ongoing educational engagements that foster collective responsibility for health. Teachers, parents, and local leaders are involved in spreading awareness and reinforcing good habits, ensuring that the message of well-being resonates deeply and sustainably within the community.
These initiatives also play a crucial role in supporting the other educational and skill development activities offered by Don Bosco Vidivelli. A healthy child learns better. A healthy mother supports her family with greater strength. And a healthy community is better equipped to grow together. Thus, the health and hygiene programs are not stand-alone efforts—they are essential threads in the broader tapestry of empowerment that the Society weaves across rural Tamil Nadu.
Through these comprehensive health interventions, The Sivakasi Don Bosco Society reaffirms its commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and dignified life for all. By bridging healthcare gaps and nurturing awareness from the grassroots up, Don Bosco Vidivelli continues to build resilient communities where every individual is equipped to live fully, grow confidently, and contribute meaningfully.