The second survey for cancer awareness in the villages near Sarjapura, Bangalore , was conducted on 22nd Feb (last Sunday). About 25 volunteers reached Doddakannahalli before 9AM.

About 8 teams comprising of two women volunteers each, was formed. There was a small discussion on the previous survey experience with the newcomers, who had joined this week. Then the group started on their task. Two villages were chosen for this Sunday –

a) Chikkanayaka Halli – Comprising of 100 houses

b) Kondanda Rama Nagar – Comprising of 300 houses

A couple of groups were sent to Chikkanayaka Halli and rest proceeded towards Kodanda Rama Nagar.

The survey started at about 9:30 AM. It went on till 2:30 in the afternoon with a small break of about ½ an hour in between. Haribabugaru and Ushagaru had arranged for caps and scarfs and banners with VTSeva on them, which proved to be quite helpful under the hot sun. All the banners were displayed on the cars of the VT members.

About 400 houses were covered. Approximately 50 women (out of 416 women) were shortlisted for the camp.

We found that some women went to work on Sunday as well. So we missed them and we hope to cover them next time.

During this survey, we found one serious case that needed immediate medical attention. This lady was having fever for past 8 days and was unable to move. Two months back she had a uterus removal operation with the suspicion of cancer. She had refused for Biopsy at that time. Now, Dr Vimochana, who had joined us for the survey, examined her and asked her to get screened in any cancer hospital. This patient’s husband is an alcoholic and is not bothered about what is happening at home. Her daughter is writing 10th exams. We gave her some money to commute to hospital (Kidwai hospital) and arranged for an appointment with the doctor. Sumithraji (One of the Youth For Seva volunteers working with us) helped us in this respect. It seems that, in Kidwai hospital, they treat poor people diagnosed with cancer for a total amount of Rs.2000/- only. (At present, KIDWAI doctors are able to cover only 20,000 cases per year whereas the number of patients who approach them is about a lakh).

We did face resistance in a few houses. In some of the houses, they welcomed us very well and even got their neighbours to us. Strangely, in some houses, men asked their wives to talk to our volunteers only in their presence. That caused little discomfort to our volunteers.

Many of the women have complained of several other problems. For those, who suffer from smaller problems, we educated them on oil-pulling. But for others, looking at their pathetic state, we feel like arranging for some general doctors too at the camp. We already have one doctor working with us. With Swamiji’s blessings, we can proceed on this.

Several women have the habit of chewing beetel nuts and leaves continuously, and some even use tobacco, we tried to make them aware of the problems of such habits. We also told them that, for the sake of their kids, they need to refrain from bad habits. Also, it is unfortunate that majority of the villagers are non-vegetarians.

All the families wherein the husbands are alcoholics and do not bother about their wives, the women are in a pathetic neglected state. Probably, Prajna can help such men to come out of their bad habits, with the help of their kids. Several women requested to give them some medicines using which their husbands can be made to leave alcohol.

Our Experience

Overall it was a moving experience. For the poor families, we can also plan for a small clothes distribution program.

Photos of this event are present in http://picasaweb.google.com/deepa.tg

General observations –

• Alcoholism – Most of the women are neglected and are suffering because of this habit in their family.
• Non-vegetarianism – We need to create awareness against its ill-effects (we need to tell them that one of the adverse effect is cancer).
• Chewing of tobacco – Several women are used to chewing tobacco which may cause oral cancer.
• Population explosion – Number of children in majority of the houses is beyond what these people can afford to take care of.
• Low Economic status - Since they live on daily wages, they have to go for work irrespective of their physical illnesses, especially the women. They have no concession either ways, household work and labour work.
  

Following is the list of volunteers:

VTSeva Bengaluru

• Giridhar, Haribabu, Raju (Hari’s driver)
• Saradagaru, Ushagaru, Roopa, Deepa, Rajsri, Ananthaji,
• Shubhratha, Harshitha, Harika

Youth For Seva

• Mamata, Sumithra, Dr. Vimochana, Sulochana & Likhitha

CSC

• Voruganti Hari
• Divya

Two Anganawadi workers

Vivekananda Seva Samithi

• Rajagopalgaru, Manjunathgaru, Binduji,
• HM Krishnamurthyji, Lakshmisimhaji,
• Ramachandra Reddygaru (S/O Gurumurthy Reddygaru - our main contact for the villages),
• Saradaji, Manjulaji

Overall response was great. The Vivekananda Seva Samithi volunteers took care of food arrangements for all our volunteers. They were very helpful in getting this survey done smoothly. Several villagers easily opened up since these local people were with us during the survey. Local village President also got involved with us in the latter stage. Few other village heads also enquired about us. It was a real sunny day and volunteers were little tired at the end of the 5-hour survey. Continuing with Swamiji's Blessings, we are hoping to cover left out houses and two new villages this weekend.

- Report by VTSeva Team Bengaluru