A Letter From India

Dear Friends and Supporters of CINI Australia,

This message was written from the Child in Need Institute headquarters in Pailan, just south of Kolkata, to share the 50 year celebration of CINI’s work empowering women and building safety for vulnerable children.

Thank you for your wonderful and continued support.

Let me give you a glimpse of what we saw and heard in the villages and slums where your contributions are changing lives.

Families told us that they want to continue on this path and request we continue to fund these life changing programs.

Thank you,
Jennie Connaughton

Founder CINI Australia

Note: Photos: names have been changed and permission received for use of photos


Foundation Day

CINI Australia visitors joined the fantastic celebrations of CINI’s 50th anniversary on Thursday 1st February.

The guests of honour were the 4 children from 4 of the states in which CINI works. They spoke to us about their lives, the change CINI has helped them make, of their dreams and aspirations and their determination to achieve their rights and be heard. Their beautiful regional dances were joyous celebrations, their dramas skilfully addressed family violence, gender equity, inclusion and child marriage.

Outstanding staff received well deserved recognition for their dedication and work over the past 50 years

Congratulations and recognition came from the world’s leading organisations working against child exploitation and violence against children including the UN, SAIEVAC, ECPAT and the West Bengal Commissioner for the Protection of Childs Rights.

Support groups came from Italy, Switzerland and Australia joined this celebration of extraordinary achievements.


IICCHAA: For Children Affected by HIV 

A home visit to Naimah and Sabira

After squeezing into totos then making our way across the padi fields, we received a warm welcome into Naimah’s home where she lives with her 4 daughters at the edge of the padi field. Curious neighbours gathered arounda stark contrast to earlier days when the family was ostracised because of fear of infection. Naimah clearly feels very supported by Anaewara, Nazia and Succhandra, the IICCHAA team. Lots has changed since they joined this program.

Naimah and her daughter, Sabira, are now both healthier, on regular ART medication and no longer afraid. They are again a part of their community. Sabira, who had never been to school, is in grade five and has mastered the alphabet in 2 languages. She is the first generation able to sign her name, a huge step towards independence and security. IICCHAA’s tutoring assistance is helping her catch up to her age-appropriate grade. 

Income generation skills enables Naimah to support her family through sari making, piece work that earns her about $5 per day. Sabira showed us the vine spinach, tomatoes, eggplant and a young mango tree that they have growing in the kitchen garden, a strip of land between their home and the padi. A great help to their finances and nutrition.


Child Club: A Safe Place for All Children

In the next village we joined the IICCHAA Child club, a room bursting with noisey, excited girls. The community provides the space where infected and non-infected children come together to play and learn about their health, their rights and how to advocate for themselves to the authorities.

The children, under direction of one of the fathers presented a beautiful drama illustrating how they educate their community about HIV, are supported by the IICCHAA team and act to prevent child marriage.

Rashma, who we met 4 years ago when she was unwell and so low that she was barely able to talk with others, now speaks with confidence about her illness, replacing myths with facts and giving other positive children hope for their future. Dr Rumeli described the intensive support she required. Through CINI’s income generation training she is establishing her financial security. As she is now well and thriving, she has  been phased out of the program. She returns to help with children’s meetings and awareness events.  She is an inspiring role model for other children in the same situation.


Memory Work: Bringing the Present and Past Together 

Simply put, this is a process to sync the child’s family history and memories with his/her present and is a powerful way to build close communication between child and parent, ready for more challenging conversations about HIV.
 
We heard countless stories of change in the health, social inclusion and emotional wellbeing of families. Income generation development has had an enormous impact. Access to sewing machines, tailoring training (by one of the fathers) and computer training is building much needed financial stability. The team identifies each child’s strengths, be it academic, dance or artistic and encourages them to develop these interests to their further education. The children were excited and proud to share their paintings, creations and dance.  
 
The strongest message came from two mothers who took the floor. Zia said, “Slowly I am learning to sew, I do not want to stop, I want to learn more advanced sewing”. Rahima explained “with what we have learned, we know how to protect the rest of our family, we don’t feel ashamed, we can interact with anyone positively”.


The Facts and Figures

The 2024-25 budget for our IICHHAA program’s is approximately $76,000. 

Remarkably, this amount employs 9 staff who, between them have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience.

They reach about 223 children from 185 families across 3 districts. Each child receives a monthly essential nutrition bundle, a total of 2,676 food bundles in the year.

Thousands more learn about HIV through IICCHAA’s advocacy and community awareness campaigns. To maintain this effective and deserving program we have a fundraising challenge ahead.  

Contacts us with any questions: If you would like to discuss how to support a village or family or district or to partner CINI Australia in this wonderful program let us know. Please email: admin@ciniaustralia.org

Please forward and share this letter to help continue this much needed programme. Thank you for being an important part of the team.


CINI India Celebrates 50 Years of Change

On Thursday 1st February 2024 the Child in Need Institute (CINI) India turns 50.

For five decades, CINI has empowered women and children on an individual and community level, to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and disadvantage in India.

We have been associated with CINI in India since they began in 1974, and have built a respectful, honest and authentic partnership with them. This year, CINI Australia Board Members and other CINI Australia friends, will self-fund their travel to Kolkata to share this remarkable milestone together.

History of CINI

Founded in 1974 by Dr Samir Chaudhuri, a Bengali paediatrician with a special interest in child malnutrition, CINI started its journey from villages around Kolkata as a clinic for malnourished under-5 children.

  • 1974 – Registered under the Societies Registration Act.
  • 1985 – CINI Urban Unit set-up for street and working Children in Kolkata.
  • 1995 – Adolecent Program initiated within the life-cycle approach.
  • 2007 – Recognised as State nodal agency for initiating the ASHA selection and training in West Bengal.
  • 2010 – Awarded World Bank- supported Development Marketplace project for income generation of women’s groups by marketing low-cost nutritious supplement “Nutrimix”.
  • 2011 – Established shelter home for homeless women and girls in Kolkata with support from Government of West Bengal.
  • 2011 – Child In Need India (CINI) Australia founded by Dr Jennifer Connaughton in Perth, Western Australia.
  • 2018 – Initiated its community-based intervention in Assam with support from USAID.
  • 2020 – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Havard University) selected CINI’s work on harm prevention for the research project “Understanding Prevention: An Analysis of three Community-Based Harm Prevention”.
  • 2022 – Joined core group of India Alternative Care Network (IACN) facilitated by UNICEF country office.
  • 2023 – NAT-Health Healthcare CSR Award ‘Community Based Health Solutions’

Lives Impacted

Over the last 50 years, CINI India has impacted the lives of over 50 million babies, children, adolescents, women and mothers.

  • 1.4 million pregnant and lactating women by ensuring access to services.
  • 76,000 children addressing their nutritional need.
  • 92,000 children in accessing educational services.
  • 0.1 million children being protected from any forms of harm.
  • 5.1 million Adolescents being engaged in empowerment process.
  • 49,637 Poor vulnerable families received dry-ration during COVID pandemic.

Awards & Recognition

CINI stands out amongst other NGOs for its tireless dedication and commitment to change. We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the ground-breaking work accomplished by CINI India.

2023Joyee Award from CII and IWN, Recognition of excellence to caregivers for CINI’s exceptional contribution towards society during and post-pandemic situation.
2023NATHEALTH Healthcare CSR award for best community health solutions in India.
2019Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, e Parivartan Inspire Award, Britt World Wide (BWW) in the category of Women and Child Welfare.
1994Achiever of the Year 2019 (vertical Hub: Child Care), Tata Institute of Social Science: School of Vocational Education.
2017Best NGO, Health category, HCL Foundation.
2015Mobile for Good Awards, Vodafone Foundation for our initiative GPower.
2015Nari Suraksha Sanman Award, B Sirkar Johuree Nari Sanman.
2013ABP Ananda Sera Bangali Award, category Public Life, to Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, SPJIMR Harvard US – India Initiative (HUII) NGOs Excellence Award.
2013-2018Certificate of accreditation for adherence to the desirable norms prescribed for the good governance of voluntary organizations by Credibility Alliance.
2011ICICI Lombard and CNBC TV18 ‘India Health Care’ Award.
2011WHO Award for Excellence in Primary Health Care in India.
2008Annual Rotary India Award, most significant contribution in reducing child mortality, Rotary Club.
2008Ellis Island Medal of Honour, USA to CINI’s Director and founder, Dr. Samir Chaudhuri.
2007Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, World of Children Award.
2005Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, Premio Parlamentare per l’Infanzia (Children’s Award by the Italian Parliament / Parliamentary Commission for Children).
1985 & 2004National Award in the field of Child Welfare.

Story of Change

The story of Abhijit Baski: In the Green Zone of Health

Abhijit Baski, aged 4.9 years old, is a healthy and happy ‘CINI Nutrimix baby’ having been fed CINI Nutrimix regularly along with other food. Abhijit was detected as severely underweight, and in the “Red Zone” of malnutrition, at a screening camp for children 0-5 years at the ICDS centre, in Kurulia village when he was 2.5 years old.

“We learned about making dry Nutrimix, khichdi,and laddoos; proper cooking practices, health and hygiene, and care of new-borns and young children. All the mothers listened because there are many children who are in the Yellow Zone. My son is now in Green but I try share what I learned and show them how to make Nutrimix.”

Read Abhijit’s full story here.

The Future of CINI

The future is bright for women and children in India. Over the last 5 decades, CINI’s approach and award winning ‘CINI Method’ has stood the test of time, creating fundamental changes to the foundations of society in some of the most disadvantages and marginalised groups in West Bengal. There is still a lot of work to be done and we look forward to the next 5 decades and beyond, helping to give women and children a voice in India.

Thank You

CINI’s success wouldn’t be possible without global supporters like you. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of CINI. Your support creates lasting change in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of individuals.

Recurring donations are the most valuable gift you can give. They secure funding for our programs, so that we can continue to provide support throughout the year. Even $2 goes a long way in India, where even the smallest donation can create the biggest change.

Thank you for your support.


Read more: CINI @ 50 Years – CINI (cini-india.org)
Source: www.cini-india.org

Connect With Us

We invite you to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to receive live updates and news from India during this momentous occasion. Thank you for following and sharing the work being achieved by CINI.

The more people we reach, the more stories from India we can share, and the greater impact we can make.

Killerby Christmas Wine Offer!

Killerby Wines are supporting CINI Australia and our work in India, by donating $20 for every six pack of wine sold!

Killerby Wine Selection

2023 Killerby “K” Semillon Sauvignon Blanc –  RRP $20.00, CINI Price: $12.50
Fresh & flavoursome tropical fruits with a crisp zesty finish.
2020 Killerby “K” Early Harvest – RRP $20.00, CINI Price: $12.50
Moderate sweetness, lifted tropical fruits, citrus blossom and honeysuckle.
2023 Killerby “K” Chardonnay RRP $20.00, CINI Price: $12.50
Pear & kiwi, citrus & tropical, youthful & vibrant.
2022 Killerby “K” Cabernet Merlot – RRP $20.00, CINI Price: $12.50
Crimson red, blackberry & plum, fresh & juicy
2019 Killerby “K” Shiraz – RRP $20.00, CINI Price: $12.50
Black & blueberries, dark plums, intense & fleshy

Buy a case of 6 for $75!
*This special pricing does not allow us to offer mixed or part cases.

How to Order

Fill in the editable form below and save the form to your computer. To do this, click on the ‘save’ icon in the top right hand corner of the pane.
– Or, click on the ‘Download’ button, fill in the form in a new window and save the form to your computer.
– Email your completed order form to fundraising@killerby.com.au or fax to: 9363 1333.
– For all enquiries phone Killerby Wines: 08 9363 1300.
All payments are processed by Killerby Wines.

Important Information

– Final Orders must be placed by Tuesday 28th November.
– Orders can be collected from: Suite B, Main Level, Southbank Central, 38 Meadowvale Ave, South Perth on Saturday 2nd December between 9am – 1pm.
– Or, you can opt to have your order delivered via Australia Post for an additional charge of $10/6pack

Thank you for your support!