Under Community Empowerment Project-III, A two days training was organized by PMU at Giridih and in that training from Bhartiya Jan Utthan Parishad 8 village based community volunteer were trained, who were took interest in the content as communicated and two of them were practitioner of this field. In the project intervention area we faced a recurring challenge: even the smallest accidents were creating unnecessary panic in the community. A minor cut, burn, damaged, blood pressure, wound, fever, headache, cough and other seasonal decease etc. these are often resulted in long delays before proper care could be given, as no immediate medical supplies were available in the project intervention due to the project field is far from 32 Km from block town and 70 Km from District town. The intervention field (SabiyatanrPanchyat) of CEP-III is fully cut from town and market as well surrounded by Forest, Hill, effected by the mica mines. Staff and community members had to rely on external health facilities, sometimes travelling several kilometers for treatment of even small injuries. The main occupation of the community is Mica picking/collecting and selling.
Recognizing this gap, the organization had given opportunity under the CEP-III project to provide trainings to one person from each intervention village on First Aid Kits. The idea was simple yet powerful make basic medical support accessible at the point of need in the field. Kits were supported and trained to volunteer to give instruction, suggestions, basic care at village level and identification of such cases for ensuring 0% of incident and ensure to become serious cases. The community spaces, stocked with essential supplies like bandages, antiseptic solutions, gloves, pain relievers, and burn ointments. Alongside the physical kits, awareness sessions were conducted to train staff and volunteers in using and revolving the materials effectively.
The impact was immediately seen and visible in the ground. Within weeks of implementation, incidents that previously covered is many people of the community were found that they Blood Pressure is low and they all are instructed and suggested by volunteer to get good diet and nutritious food, majorly covered pregnant women, lactating mother and people who are above the age of 50. Many of the internal and external disruption were being managed calmly.
Eight-year-old Jagarnath Kumar was carrying lunch for his father, Manoj Turiya, who was working nearby. As Jagarnath hurried to deliver the food, he slipped and fell on a sharp stone, cutting his leg finger deeply. The wound began bleeding heavily, and within moments, panic spread among those around him. His young age and the sight of so much blood created fear not only in the child but also in his family and other villagers. Basant Turiya, a trained community volunteer, was present in the village. He had recently attended First Aid Training as part of the safety and preparedness initiative in the village. Without losing time, Basant rushed forward. He quickly retrieved the First Aid Kit installed in the village and took charge of the situation.
With calmness and confidence, Basant cleaned the wound carefully, stopped the bleeding using antiseptic and sterile bandages, and reassured both the child and his worried father. While others watched anxiously, Basant’s actions turned fear into relief. He explained that Jagarnath would still need medical attention at a nearby clinic/RMP, but the immediate dressing had prevented blood loss and reduced the risk of infection. And the child was safely taken to a health facility for further care. Jagarnath recovered quickly, but what remained in everyone’s mind was not the accident it was the power of preparedness.
The incident became a turning point in Lat (Phaguni) village. Families saw firsthand how First Aid Kits and training could transform an emergency into a manageable situation. Manoj Turiya, the father, later shared his gratitude to the Attendant Basant and Organization.”If Basant had not been there, and if we did not have the kit, my son could have lost much more blood before reaching the proper care and treatment. We will never forget how important this training and kit are for our village.”
From that day forward, the First Aid Kit was no longer seen as just a box of supplies. It became a symbol of safety and hope. Children and parents alike felt more secure knowing that help was always close at hand, and the community volunteers gained confidence in their ability to protect their neighbors in times of need.
However, the challenges is not over in the field. At first, there were concerns about proper usage and maintenance of some kits ran out of supplies faster than expected time due to community disconnection from market and town. To address this, responsibility was assigned to specific individuals for regular checks, and refresher sessions were held to ensure everyone knew how to respond effectively and keep the community on track as well as be always supportive to others.
Today, the First Aid Kit initiative is not just seen as a project but as an essential practice into daily life. It has created a safer, more prepared community where immediate response is possible, and minor injuries.
