Building a Brighter Future: How NGOs Are Transforming Health and Education in India

As you're waking up, you're feeling sore and sick; not only are you far away from the nearest doctor but you don't know if you will be able to afford a doctor's visit. Being a child with a curious mind, your parents cannot afford to buy you books. This is the story of millions of people living in rural villages. Fortunately, there are dedicated organizations working hard to improve the quality of life and opportunities for individuals living in these poor conditions. Many people are looking for the best NGO in India who are working to provide access to education for children so that they can remain in school instead of going to work in the fields. One such organization that is doing this is PARD INDIA, which is working to provide classrooms and hope to disadvantaged children, and they do all of this on the ground level.

The same can be said about access to health care for people living in rural areas. City dwellers usually have a hospital within a short distance; for people living in rural communities, having basic access to medical care may be a distant dream. An active NGO for rural health in India will become a lifesaver; bringing mobile clinics, trained medical personnel, and free medicine to the doorsteps of those in need will ensure that minor illnesses do not become serious or even fatal. Organizations like PARD INDIA also understand that improving both health and education in rural areas is critical to improving the lives of the community.

But there is hope! All over India, people are getting together to change these realities. NGOs have stepped up to fill in the void; they are working around the clock to bring physicians to the doorsteps of patients and to get students enrolled in schools. So let us take a closer look at how these organisations are having a huge impact on the two most critical foundations of life; Health and Education. One of those incredible grassroots organisations is PARD INDIA.

Rural Health Has a Lifeline through Successful Delivery of Health Care in Villages

Accessing Primary Health Care in Rural Areas of India

Accessing basic health care in rural areas of India can be extremely challenging. Many rural villages do not have an adequate number of clinics for initial assessment treatment of common medical conditions. In addition, while a village may have a Primary Health Clinic (PHC) operating, it is common for no doctor to be on duty when the patient requires assistance (i.e., pre-natal visits, immunizations). The result of not being able to access primary health care for the treatment of these types of medical conditions can turn into life-threatening emergency situations.

The establishment of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to providing primary health care services to rural areas of India is a tremendous blessing to individuals and families who are in need of primary health care services. The NGO understands that it may be infeasible for a patient to seek medical treatment at a hospital practice, therefore the medical practitioner must bring the hospital/practice to the patient. How do they accomplish this?

Many rural NGOs will use travelling (mobile) medical units as their means of travelling from one rural area like a village to another as a mini-hospital. Each mobile medical unit is staffed with medical professionals (doctors and nurses) and carries an adequate supply of medications; therefore, they can deliver health care services directly to patients in rural areas. For example, a mobile medical unit can provide expectant mothers with pre-natal care, immunize babies with immunizations, and provide medications for elderly patients who have chronic medical conditions (diabetes, etc.).

Many rural NGOs not only provide medical treatment, but also provide educational opportunities (classes) and conduct health promotion activities (by providing education on the importance of washing your hands, drinking clean water, maintaining proper hygiene during the menstrual cycle, etc.). By providing education to the community about preventative healthy behaviours, many diseases can be avoided through simple preventative measures.

opportunity alive and encouraging their children to stay in school.

PARD India has helped thousands of children from rural India remain in school by providing safe transportation, scholarships to help pay for tuition, and the educational materials necessary for them to continue their education. PARD India also provides scholarships for children who drop out of school, so they can return and finish their education.

Many parents are not aware of the benefits of their children completing their education. Therefore, PARD India gives parents the opportunity to understand the value of keeping their children in school by providing them with access to educational resources, mentoring, and counseling. Parents who work with PARD India are given resources and support to help them realize that their children can have a better future by completing their education.

Health and Education: A Beautiful Connection

You really can’t have one without the other. Think about it: a sick child cannot concentrate in class, and a child who constantly misses school due to illness will eventually fall behind and drop out. On the flip side, an educated person is much more likely to understand health, hygiene, and nutrition, raising a healthier family in the future. The best NGO working for Education in India in these sectors are essentially weaving a safety net that protects the entire community.

Being Involved in the Story

Whether you're wealthy or not, you can still make a difference. Everyday people who care about others really can bring about positive changes in society. Children can be supported through their education for the same amount of money as a couple of cups of coffee per month, or you can help purchase the medicines required by people receiving treatment through a mobile medical clinic.

India will not progress only through building massive office buildings, however its future is truly the children who are healthy, happy and carry their books back and forth to school. If you want to support NGOs that focus on Health and Education, such as PARD INDIA, then you too are contributing to the creation of a better, gentler and kinder country for all people in India.