The BUDS Institutions all across the state had celebrated the admission festival in joyous mode. While the online admission festival was conducted in all schools across the state on 1 June 2021, the BUDS Schools and BUDS Rehabilitation centres organized an online admission festival at the LSGI level, in the best way possible. The BUDS admission festival was conducted in online mode in the LSGIs, by including the families of the BUDS students. It was done after the 'pravesanolsavam' to the general schools was completed. The elected representatives, LSGI officials, teachers and personalities from political-social cultural sectors have participated in the online admission festival and paid their felicitations. 

From last year onwards, online classes were being given to the students of the BUDS Institutions. When online classes were started through Victers Channel in the first phase for the students of the general schools under the leadership of the Education Department, Kudumbashree thought about how we could give effective classes and training to the BUDS students. Kudumbashree understood that the students were restless about not being able to go to the school and in this regard, Kudumbashree had formulated and implemented various programmes, consulting with the BUDS teachers, caretakers and subject experts.  

Teachers prepare the videos of the classes, upload them to YouTube and the same are sent to the mobile phones of the parents of the students. Parents show this video to the children, make them do the related activities and assignments and send them back to the teachers once it is completed. In addition, work sheets of every video class are given to the children. Students, with the help of parents, complete those and send them back to the teachers. In this way, children were made part of these classes in an effective way. These online classes are conducted in an interactive way that the teachers come in contact with each and every child. Teachers give instructions to do activities (drawing, newspaper reading, learning letters, music class, stitching class, joining parents for kitchen chores, handicraft making, vegetable farming) as per the individual plans, created by knowing the special ability of each and every student of the institutions. As per this, the instructions are given through WhatsApp and the activities of the children are continuously supervised. 

The activities are ongoing giving emphasis to the idea that it is the duty of the BUDS Teachers to ensure the welfare of all the students (studying in BUDS) in the limits of the LSGIs, where the respective BUDS institution is situated. It is suggested that every BUDS teacher should call the students on alternate days or talk to them on video call. It is also instructed to give online classes, by including the children and their parents, at least once in a week. The teachers are also directed to ensure the availability of the medicine, food  and other services needed for children during the period of covid, associating with the respective LSGIs. Various training for the mental health of the students and their parents will be given online under the leadership of the District Missions of Kudumbashree.

Online therapy service is being given to the BUDS students in 6 districts who need therapy, associating with Composite Regional Centre (CRC), headquartered at Kozhikode, as therapy is inevitable for many of these children. In addition, various  ideas are being formulated and implemented by the respective districts based on the amenities available in the respective areas. 

BUDS Institutions, a convergence project of Kudumbashree and Local Self Government Institutions functions for the children with intellectual disabilities. 9545 students are studying and getting trained in 342 BUDS Institutions which function across the state.

Kudumbashree has been entrusted with the task of distributing all the textbooks to the schools across the state, from this year onwards. Kerala Books and Publishing Society (KBPS) prints the books and transports them to the 15 hubs in the 14 districts of Kerala.  Kudumbashree had taken up the task of sorting these books as per the needs of the various societies in the respective districts and dispatching them in vehicles to the societies/ schools for timely distribution. A team under the leadership of Kudumbashree functions in these hubs for the same. 

Kudumbashree got the opportunity to take care of the distribution of textbooks during January 2021. A work force including supervisors were arranged for coordinating these activities in the hub, under the leadership of Kudumbashree District Coordinators by February. The first lot from KBPS was received during February itself and Kudumbashree members had started the activity of sorting the books as per the need obtained from the societies. But, strict regulations came into being due to the crisis of covid-19 pandemic. Following that, lockdown was notified in the state and these activities were temporarily stopped. Later, the text book distribution was included in the emergency service list and was given exemption. Hence we could restart this activity from last week onwards. We expect to arrange the books from KBPS and distribute them completely before last year's revision is finished, once the schools are reopened.

Until now, 70% of books are distributed from the hubs to the societies. A total of 320 Kudumbashree members including 15 supervisors are participating in these activities in the hubs. Kudumbashree members are happy to be able to extend such an important service, securing a temporary source of income, though it is a short term job opportunity that lasts only for a few months. Kudumbashree NHG members  are making great efforts to implement an activity that is helpful to the society on time, even during the crisis of covid-19 pandemic.

Kudumbashree has started 'Chain Call', a programme to create awareness about covid-19 to all the members, as the corona virus spread in this second wave is continuing. This activity also aims at identifying the people who need assistance. Kudumbashree will make necessary arrangements to help all those needy in convergence with the LSGIs. Further the program also intends to give confidence to the families that the Kudumbashree system is always there for them. As part of the programme, Presidents and Secretaries of about 3 lakh NHGs in the state would call each and every member in their NHGs over phone and enquire whether they need any help. They would also make them aware about the precautions (wear two layered masks, maintain social distance, go out only when it's really needed) everyone should take to prevent the spread of covid-19 pandemic.

Kudumbashree ADSs (Area Development Societies- the Kudumbashree organization system in ward level) will give directions to the Presidents and Secretaries of the Kudumbashree NHGs on what all should be asked while calling the members over phone. They will also brief about the convergences for extending assistance based on the responses/ needs received from them. The CDSs (Community Development Societies- the Kudumbashree organization system in the panchayath level) would give these directions to the ADSs. Through this ‘Chain Call’ Programme, the directions from the top level are brought to the NHG leaders and from NHG leaders to each and every family.

Selected Resource Persons in Kudumbashree are entrusted in each CDS to supervise this programme. They impart training on what all should be communicated while making the phone calls. Also, they give instructions for other coordination activities. These Resource Persons would coordinate this ‘Chain Call’  Programme at the local level.The Resource Persons had already been selected and the primary training had also been given to them. The district teams were given awareness regarding the same and had been given the instructions on what all should be conveyed while making the phone calls.  

  It is expected that, through this activity, Kudumbashree would be able to convey the message that everyone should make self defense against covid. The aim is to convey this message to more people and thereby we can counter this pandemic. Moreover, Kudumbashree believes to  be able to support people who are facing difficulties due to covid and extend them the needed services through Kudumbashree system with the convergence with the LSGIs. This activity is being fully implemented through the community based organizational system of Kudumbashree. Through this activity Kudumbashree would be able to take the covid alert message to maximum families in Kerala. Kudumbashree believes that we could extend the needed help and services through convergence using the full strength of the Kudumbashree organizational system under the supervision of the CDSs.

Kudumbashree Disinfection Teams are showcasing best performance in extending the sanitization services to the public. There are 125 Disinfection teams functioning all across the state, which has 686 people as members. They were able to make an income of Rs 57,77,863 through this. These units have received 2568 work orders altogether starting from August 2020 to 9 May 2021. Kudumbashree Disinfection teams have turned themselves into important service providers by extending the best services all across the state.

It was during August 2020, Kudumbashree formulated and implemented the concept of forming Disinfection teams for identifying a new source of livelihood for the NHG members. In addition to providing an income generating opportunity when many other opportunities were temporarily unavailable due to the pandemic, Kudumbashree was motivated that this would help in extending one of the important services to the society in fighting back covid-19 pandemic. These factors had influenced Kudumbashree in implementing this idea. 

The information including the  district wise details of the Disinfection teams, the work orders received and their income etc are published in Kudumbashree website. Those who wish to do the disinfection activities in their houses or offices may make use of Kudumbashree Disinfection teams which function in enterprise model.  Kudumbashree Disinfection teams would be able to set a model through their best performances in fighting back against covid-19 pandemic and be able to earn more income through these activities.

Kudumbashree had made active involvement in the Legislative Assembly Elections held in Kerala during April 2021. NHG members had received as many opportunities in connection with the election process. Kudumbashree had taken up and implemented various convergence activities as part of the last elections to Kerala Legislative Assembly. Kudumbashree members got various opportunities in every district in connection with the election. Kudumbashree members got the chance to start canteens/ cafes/ food courts in 128 distribution or collection centres out of the 162 election distribution/ collection centres in Kerala. On the polling day, Kudumbashree entrepreneurs were able to serve food to the polling officials at 14,964 polling stations. Rs 2,11,31,966 crores was received by 11,690 Kudumbashree members altogether by serving food (these two activities).

In most of the districts, opportunity was received to set up canteens at the distribution centres and to serve food at the polling stations. Opportunity was also received to clean the polling stations and distribution centres. The waste management at the polling stations and collection centres were also entrusted with Kudumbashree in some places. Opportunity was also received to function as polling volunteers and at some places, Kudumbashree NHG members got the chance to do the work of data entry as well. 16,425 members received the opportunity to clean the polling stations. 18,975 members got the opportunity of waste management at the polling stations and distribution centres. 10,663 Kudumbashree members had got the opportunity to check the body temperature of the voters using thermal scanners and to provide them sanitizers as part of following the covid protocol. 122 Kudumbashree members had got the chance to do the data entry works.An e-booklet was prepared by Kudumbashree on the various interventions made by Kudumbashree in connection with the Legislative Assembly Elections.

In addition to these income earning opportunities, Kudumbashree had got the opportunities to set up Women Friendly Polling Stations at Thrissur and Kottayam districts and Green Booths at Ernakulam district. On the counting day, opportunity was received to serve food at the counting centres at Kannur, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts. Through this intervention, Kudumbashree members were able to become part of the great democratic process, other than an opportunity to earn a one time income. Thereby this was a process of empowerment and this process boosted the self confidence of Kudumbashree members to take up and implement various such challenging activities.

To see the e-booklet,Click here

The honourable Chief Minister, Government of Kerala had made special mention about the various activities being implemented by Kudumbashree amidst the pandemic, during his press meet on 22 May 2021. The Chief Minister had mentioned about the Kudumbashree Janakeeya Hotels, the Chain Call awareness programme being implemented through Kudumbashree, the awareness campaign proposed to be implemented from next week onwards through social organisations, the awareness classes being extended to Kudumbashree members under the leadership of Indian Medical Association etc.
As Kudumbashree had realised that the efforts and involvement of each and everyone is inevitable in fighting back this pandemic, various activities are being implemented to prevent covid-19 and to make all the families aware that everyone should do their part in the fight against covid-19 pandemic. Along with this, Kudumbashree is also engaged in extending various help and services to the public in convergence with the respective Local Self Government Institutions as well. Kudumbashree network would take up more such activities to create more awareness among the public.

To watch the video, click here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CreiO57UsQ

A series of Covid-19 Awareness Class for Kudumbashree members and the general public has been started under the leadership of Kudumbashree associating with the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The programme is ongoing receiving good responses from among the public. This program is done under the supervision of the Health Department, in cooperation with the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).

The topics which everyone should be aware of while fighting back this pandemic are chosen for the series. The topics dealt at the awareness class series include ‘Covid home care - what all should the caretakers note’, ‘covid treatment- mental pressure’, ‘covid patient and heart disease’, ‘post covid issues and its solutions’, the ‘scientific base of covid home treatment’, ‘lung diseases of covid patients and the ‘treatment protocols’, 'Covid and women',  'Covid preventive measures at work places', 'Know everything about Covid Vaccination', 'Covid- preventive measures', Diabetics in Covid patients: What to note', 'Covid home care- How to make the home safe', 'Covid home care and children', 'Covid home care- masks and waste', 'Covid patients-food', 'Non covid monsoon diseases- What all to be taken care of' etc. The classes are dealt with by the experts who have experience in the healthcare sector.  The awareness classes were started on 13 May 2021 onwards. The classes are being conducted on alternate days. 

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) extends full support for this initiative. IMA has selected the doctors for the classes and prepared the schedules and has also chosen the subject experts who have good communication skills and are capable of communicating the information with the common people. Kudumbashree members and the public have participated in these classes with great enthusiasm. As per the protocol being followed now, the Category-A covid patients should take their treatments at home. And during this time, it is important that everyone should be aware of the treatment and all sides of covid-19 pandemic. This is the reason why such a programme was started. All the technical settings for these classes are arranged by KILA. 

The Health Department supervises this programme and gives the needed advice. Arrangements are made to answer the questions with the support of the Health Department and if any questions regarding the policy of the Government arise while giving these technical classes under the leadership of IMA. Also the concerned officials of KILA would attend the classes to answer the questions regarding the Government orders and services related to the Local Self Government Department. 

The classes could be watched live on the respective days from 2.30 PM onwards through the Facebook pages and YouTube channels of KILA and Kudumbashree. The viewers may also ask their doubts and get it clarified from the experts themselves.  The previous classes are also available in these pages and channels. It is expected that these awareness classes about covid, organized with best convergence and partnership would reach out to all  people in Kerala and it would help them in the treatments of covid patients and will be of great help to all.

The 1054 Janakeeya Hotels in Kerala have already set a unique model by extending best of their services amidst the crisis of covid-19 pandemic. As lockdown is notified in the state to contain the spread of the second wave of covid-19 pandemic, most of the Janakeeya Hotels are delivering the food parcels to the needy. Everyday, an average of more than 80,000 meals @ Rs. 20 are packed and served from all the Janakeeya Hotels across the state. A total of 1054 Janakeeya hotels are functioning all across the state which includes the 874 Janakeeya Hotels in the panchayat areas and 180 Janakeeya Hotels in the municipalities and corporations. These have turned out to be a great service provider for the common people during this crisis.

Around 1.50 lakh people were served meals every day @ Rs 20, before the lockdown was notified in the state . When the lockdown was started, the number of  meals from the Janakeeya Hotels had decreased as only parcel meals were permitted. In the budget speech for the 2020-21 financial year, it was announced that 1000 Janakeeya Hotels will be started all across the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Kudumbashree was able to implement this programme in the best way possible, amidst the crisis of covid-19 pandemic. When the financial year ended on 31 March 2021, the number of Janakeeya Hotels started in the state was 1007. A total of 1054 Janakeeya Hotels have started functioning until today.

The details including the location of these 1054 Janakeeya Hotels, the contact numbers to order the food, the details of the food supplied from the Janakeeya Hotels every day (including free meals) are available in public domain in this link: https://kudumbashree.org/pages/826. The NHG members and entrepreneurs have succeeded in running these Janakeeya Hotels efficiently,  providing the best of their services to the people and are extending the best of their services even during the time of crisis.

Kudumbashree marked the 23rd Anniversary, extending services to the public, amidst the crisis caused due to covid-19 pandemic. Kudumbashree members all across the state are partnering in various activities such as running the Janakeeya Hotels, extending services as part of the Rapid Response Teams converging with the LSGIs, coordinating the IEC (Information, Education, Communication) activities, counselling services in the local level, delivering essential goods to the door steps of the households etc.

It was on 17 May 1998, Kudumbashree, the poverty eradication mission of Kerala came into being. Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India officially inaugurated Kudumbashree Mission. Since then, Kudumbashree had been conceptualizing and implementing innovative ideas for poverty alleviation. Kudumbashree is moving forward with the best of its activities, aiming at the local economic development, social development and women empowerment for the last 23 years. 
 By that time, Kudumbashree could turn into the cornerstone of the growth of Kerala society.  Also, in addition to effectiveness in planning, Kudumbashree focused on convergences and actual field implementation and thereby became an integral part of foundation for the development of Kerala.

On completing 23 years, Kudumbashree has grown to a network and system that involve itself for the welfare of people of Kerala  and ensures social development and empowerment in some way or the other. Kudumbashree has transformed into a National Resource Organization that gives guidance to other states in India in activities of convergence, livelihood and women empowerment. Kudumbashree also provides consultancy in framing policies for poverty alleviation and for developing training modules for other countries. 

Every year, the anniversary of Kudumbashree is celebrated in all its glory. Various programmes were organized in the NHGs, ADSs, CDSs, in districts and at state level as part of the anniversary.  But, no special programmes were organized this year and the last year.  Most of the Kudumbashree members observed the anniversary by indulging themselves in various covid-19 countering activities, extending their services. The positive changes brought in the society through Kudumbashree  are the results of the sacrifice, hard work, dedication, self less efforts and services of as many women and families.

Awareness programme Series on Covid-19 War Room activities has been started. The awareness programme is jointly organised by the Health Department of Kerala, Local Self Government Department War Room, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), and Kudumbashree. The awareness programme series was inaugurated by Smt. K. K. Shailaja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Kerala, on 13 May 2021. The programme aims at spreading awareness on the spread of the second wave of covid-19 pandemic to each and every household as most of the people are getting affected from the same. The awareness classes are scheduled to be held on 15, 17,19, 21 and 23 May 2021 at 2.30 PM. Eminent doctors and the concerned officials would clear the doubts of the public. 

The elected representatives of the LSGIs, ward level committee members, war room nodal officers, volunteers, officials working in connection with covid-19 countering activities, Kudumbashree staff, office bearers of CDSs, ADSs and NHGs, training team members, KAASS members, Micro Enterprise Consultants, Jagratha Samithi members, community counsellors, office bearers of Balasabha, BUDS teachers, DDUGKY trainees etc have attended the awareness programme. The zoom meeting was streamed through the facebook and youtube channels of KILA. Dr. P.T Zacharia, State President, IMA, presided over the function. Shri. S. Harikishore IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree introduced the project.  Dr. Padmakumar, Professor of Medicine, Medical College, Alappuzha, led the class on taking care of covid-19 patients at households. Dr. R.C Sreekumar, Chairman, Research Cell & Digital IMA was the moderator of the programme. Dr. P. Gopikumar, State Secretary, IMA Kerala delivered the welcome speech. Dr. Joy Elamon. Director General (DG) Kerala Institute of Local Administration, also participated in the programme.