A few words about
What We Do
Our projects
Our initiatives aim to empower and improve lives in need; especially of underprivileged women and children in rural and urban Darjeeling Hills.
Cultivating individuals who are committed to serving others. We achieve this through engaging co-curricular social work activities.
HEALTH
Maternal and New Born:
Our aim is to enhance the safety of pregnancy by improving access to comprehensive and high-quality health care for both mothers and infants.
Child Health: We adopt a continuum of care approach to effectively enhance child survival rates.
Adolescent Health: Our initiatives focus on raising awareness and addressing the specific needs of adolescents, promoting their well-being and holistic development
Burns Club: Dedicated to providing comprehensive care and protection for the elderly
Tuberculosis Advocacy Program: A government-affiliated initiative focusing on preventive measures for tuberculosis
Health Camps: Extending care to remote areas through mobile clinics
Dispensary: Providing responsive healthcare for a wide range of conditions
Geriatric Nursing Training in collaboration with Planet Hope Netherland: Hayden Hall initiated a transformative collaboration with Planet Hope Netherlands in 2021, with the noble aim of training the younger generation in Geriatric Nursing.
General Duty Assistance: Hayden Hall in partnership with D.B. Tech Society has been diligently conducting the General Duty Assistant (GDA) skill training course since 2020.
EDUCATION
Creche: A Safe Haven for Working Mothers
Recognizing the challenges faced by working mothers in Darjeeling, the Crèche program was established in 1976. Many women in the region work in menial jobs
during the day and struggle to find affordable daycare options for their children. The Crèche program offers a safe environment, complete with food and beds, for children aged 9 months to 2.5 years. This allows mothers to work with peace of mind, knowing their children are well-cared for by experienced babysitters.
Community Development Workers (CDWs) play a crucial role in identifying eligible families for the Crèche program. Children showing signs of malnutrition receive special care with CDWs weighing children every month during their monthly visits to address important topics like immunization, nutrition, cleanliness, and hygiene.
Strive (Pre-School): Nurturing Early Learning
Strive serves as a preparatory center for children between the ages of 2.5 years and 4.5 years, offering a nurturing space primarily for children from economically disadvantaged families with working mothers. The Montessori Method of teaching is followed, focusing on communication skills, including sign language, talking, and listening. Children learn nursery rhymes, English alphabet, and basic numeracy, fostering their listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
After School Study: Supplementing Education in Rural Areas
The After School Study addresses the educational needs of children in urban
and rural villages, catering to low-income families, tea garden workers, and those in the unorganized sector. The village community provides the infrastructure for the study centers, and parents and guardians play a vital role in monitoring the centers. In addition to regular studies, the program emphasizes creative learning, co-curricular activities, and awareness classes to promote holistic development among the children.
GENDER MAINSTREAMING
Awareness
Our endeavour is to impart knowledge on critical matters such as child marriage, substance abuse, early pregnancy, income generation, migration, and legal status prevalent in the community.
Empowerment: we train community development workers, children, and women’s groups to increase their ability to contribute to the community.
Participation: promote community involvement in order to establish a safe and secure environment. This cultivates ownership, collective responsibility, and progress.
Gender and Child Protection are fundamental aspects of Hayden Hall’s interventions for children and adolescents in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the tea gardens. Recognizing the susceptibility of children who have dropped out of school to engage in child labor or fall victim to child trafficking, Hayden Hall places emphasis on fortifying safety networks at the village and community levels. This is achieved through active involvement of children, parents, and stakeholders, fostering regular dialogues and discussions to address issues related to child exploitation, such as child abuse, trafficking, and child labor. To establish this initiative, Hayden Hall collaborates with the existing Village Level Child Protection Committees (VLCPs) who subsequently extend their reach to children in need of care and protection (CNCP). The initiative prioritizes raising awareness about child rights and establishing connections with various government schemes.
Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Carpet Making
An integral part of the program since 1972, carpet making has proven to be a transformative skill, empowering financially vulnerable women by enabling them to generate independent income.
Often coming from disadvantaged backgrounds with limited educational opportunities, these women find an opportunity for economic stability through the Carpet Making program. The program offers expert instructors to guide trainees, and women aged above 18 can apply for training. Employees are
provided maternity leave, which allows them to return to work after giving birth. Furthermore, the Mother & Child Health (MCH) program provides crucial benefits such as lunch, daycare/pre-school services for their children, and medical assistance for both mothers and children. This creates a compassionate and nurturing atmosphere.
Back Strap Weaving
Back Strap weaving, introduced in 1972, serves as a viable source of income for underprivileged women in the hills. This skill-based training program aims to improve the income-generating capacity of women weavers by providing comprehensive training, covering every aspect from production to marketing.
Sewing
The sewing program helps struggling women learn sewing, earn a living, and support their families. It lasts four months, costs Rs. 1,400, and offers certificates and job opportunities at Hayden Hall. By teaching them the art of sewing, this program empowers them to earn a livelihood and take care of themselves.
Knitting
The Knitting program, launched in 1978, has been a source of hope and empowerment for women. The program’s admission fee is a nominal sum of Rupees 100, and workers are encouraged to be a part of the MCH program, reaping additional benefits such as free lunch, daycare facilities for their children, and medical services.