ATMATA Projects

(a) PSH:- The "Partners in Sexual Health" project was a need assessment study of the sex scenario among the colony inhabitants, low-income youth and street children in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. The project estimated the prevalence and extend of the Sexual high risk behavior and STIs among the target groups and also for formulating the strategies for the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS through target group intervention programs. The programs were organized in collaboration with KSACS ( Kerala State Aids Control Society) and SMA ( State Management Agency).

(b) AIDS Awareness Programmes in colonies. The AIDS Awareness Programmes were held with the help of KSACS in 20 colonies of the districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. The main attraction of this programs were the "Kathaprasangam" of famous story teller Kadakodu Viswambharan with narration of story with music and accompaniments.

(c) PNDT ATMATA Kendram organized seminars under the sponsorship of Ministry of health and family welfare through KVHS at 10 villages on the district of Alappuzha among the rural folks to create awareness in the grace root level regarding the provisions of the PreNatal diagonostic Techniques Act 1994. The classes were held as one day workshops through Self Help Groups(Ayal kootam) under local self government. These workshops dealt with the topics like familiarization of the provisions under the Act, Abortion of female fetus, responsibility of man in gender formation, dangers in abortion, the rights of the girl child and the idea of a healthy family and the healthy society. The methods used are mind mapping, de briefing and lecturing. Audio Visual programmes using OHP sheets and multimedia presentation using LCD projectors enriched the classes. Brochures and leaflets, were distributed to the participants.

(d) Grass Root Level Awareness Programmes for Adults. Concentrating laymen and to make the awareness progrmmes popular, audio visual awareness classes were arranged at junctions of different villages in the districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta. The Sessions contained the subjects Alcohol and Drugs abused HIV/AIDS and STIs. This program was a joint venture of ATMATA with through KSACS through KITCO.

(e) RCH The RCH project (Reproductive and Child Health) was necessitated by the ever increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS as well as STIs among the youth. This project tried to impart sexual health education among children in 20 schools of Alappuzha district with the help from Ministry of Health and Family welfare Govt. India through Kerala Voluntary health services (KVHS).The duration of the project was six months. The resource persons give a small talk first followed by distribution of pre-knowledge assessment form. Later the classes on reproductive on the child health was conducted and after class post-knowledge assessment form was disbursed and collected back. The sessions were enriched with discussion also. The topics discussed and studies were aim of the sexuality, reproductive system, adolescent reproductive health, physical changes during adolescence, sexual maturity in boys and girls, menstrual hygiene, reproductive track infections, psychological and emotional development, functions of hormones, complications related to early pregnancy, role of parents, sex abused, HIV/AIDS and STIs.

(f) I HELP ATMATA had taken over the I HELP (Integrated Health Education and Life Promotion) project for the past seven years in 59 schools in the Archdiocese of Changanacherry with the help of MISEREOR,Germany. This project provide counseling and other psycho therapies to the students , teachers and parents. It also gave Audio Vision awareness classes and family life education to the above groups. These programs were backed up with sufficient follow up. The project mainly facilitated in resolving personnel problem of the pupil Hock in these schools.

(g) AIDS Awareness in Schools AIDS awareness programmes were conducted in schools receiving funds from KSACS. The programmes covered teenage problems and HIV/AIDS and STIs.