Ekam Foundation is an NGO incubated and supported by The Ma Foi Foundation, which aims to bring comprehensive health care to the underprivileged children. Paediatricians, pharmaceutical companies, Government, and hospitals have come together in this project to provide high quality, comprehensive and continuous healthcare to children who cannot afford to pay for specialized healthcare services. The project has roped in the support of not only paediatricians but also nutritionists, social workers & yoga instructors from across Chennai to ensure that underprivileged children have consistent and immediate access to healthcare.
Medical Care:
To reduce the prenatal & neonatal mortality rate Ekam screens children in orphanages, aganwadies, school and communities regularly. This involves, timely identification of health problems, referrals to hospitals and constant follow up and check-ups. In cases, when children are hospitalized, Ekam takes complete care of these children and also offers the necessary financial support.
So far more than 1500 children have been supported.
Training and Development :
Ekam trains community volunteers from schools, nurses, NGOs, SHGs in basic health care, emergency care to identify vulnerable children and also build healthy habits. Training on alternative medicines were also given to the community.
Ekam’s School Health Project targets school going children aged 5-17 years. A joint venture of Ekam with Corporation & Directorate of Public Health, children are regularly screened for preventable diseases and other nutritional problems.
Improving Health care systems: EKAM works with government hospitals it aims to improve access of children admitted in Government hospitals to quality-assured services through Public Private Partnership model. It is joint venture of Institute of Child Health and Ekam. Through this partnership EKAM has invested more than 1.5 crs in the infrastructure, manpower and life saving equipments. Under another partnership with the TN government, EKAM recruited 350 nurses in all the district head quarter hospitals. This has reduced neo natal deaths in NICUs
Education
Disha: Education Initiative of The Ma Foi Foundation
Disha is an opportunity for children from disadvantaged background to believe in their strengths and rise beyond all odds to become grounded, educated and sensitive individuals of the society. Disha is not just about education for children. It involves holistic development of a child, allowing him or her to discover their hidden talents, encouraging them to believe in themselves and never let go of their dreams.
Disha Scholarships are provided to disadvantaged children to ensure that they continue their education without hurdles. The initiative has supported over 3800 children in the state of Tamil Nadu with the aim to help children get higher studies and get employment.
Impact
• 250 have successfully completed college education and working today.
• More than 750 children reached college because of our support.
Disha Leadership Programme, provides children an environment to learn, act, and lead so that they can hone their skills, be productive and grow as concerned leaders. Disha Scholars from 8th standard onward undergo this programme till they finish their college.
Impact
• More than 2000 children benefited by this programme every year.
• 13 schools have Disha Leadership Clubs run by students.
• The Disha Youth Movement started by the scholars in colleges to volunteer and help younger scholars.
Disha Sports Academy: The academy identifies potential sports talent between 10 and 14 yr old children and provides training and other facilities to enable them to become professional sports person. 120 students are trained in football, boxing and athletics.
SMART CENTRE :
The Ma Foi Foundation has partnered with Tech Mahindra Foundation and started a skill development centre at Avadi. At this smart centre unemployed youth are trained in Business communication skills and work place readiness after a three month training they are helped to be placed in the Industry. The training is being supported by Tech Mahindra Foundation.