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Health education and empowerment in Pune, India Helping to educate and empower poor women and children around Pune, India, is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. Seven Medical Mission Sisters are involved in a program serving poor families living in a 25-mile radius around Pune, India, and in 80 villages in Satari Taluka. These Sisters – 2 doctors, 3 nurses, and 2 social workers – have made much progress in the past year, and look forward to continuing their ministry. Our Sisters have spoken with 1760 students in two government schools about the 5 dimensions of holistic health – stress awareness and management, self-responsibility, environmental sensitivity, nutritional awareness, and physical fitness. Their sessions also covered awareness of HIV-AIDS. Through the students, our Sisters were able to meet families who live in slum areas, and plan activities for them. Two holistic health workshops were given to 55 women leaders of slums, and potential health workers are being identified and encouraged to form into groups. Our Sisters have also received requests to conduct seminars and workshops for teachers and students of government schools outside their working hours. They explain, “There is need for staff updating and awareness raising on the government’s plan for public-private partnership in the health sector of the region. We are making our poor people aware of the facilities that can be availed in their local health centers.” They add, “We are imparting education on herbal and alternate therapies for common ailments, and teaching preventive measures for health and well being. We stress hygienic standards of living, as the people live in very congested conditions.” July 15, 2009
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