10 Indian Ayahs get First Aid training

It's not saving the world or anything, but I'm quite proud of the first aid session today at our house, where 10 ayahs (child-carers) got the opportunity to learn basic first aid. Many of them are semi-literate, which is a fancy way of saying that they are robbed of the opportunity to pick up vital information just by glancing at things, in the way most of us do all day, everyday. They are robbed of being able to casually glean opportunities to make their lives more comfortable, equitable, healthy and fun.

This lack of literacy is akin to a physical disability -- like being partially blind... except that no one takes pity on you or insists on giving you a hand. The inability to read is something best keep hidden lest you be taunted by others, or irritate your demanding employers. No wonder Indian workers sometimes don't seem to comprehend the most basic information. You can write down an address, but they can't interpret it! You can give them instructions, but they'll have to rely on memory and trial and error to carry them out! The lack of literacy also means a blindness in understanding some of the most basic concepts we all take for granted: citizenship, rights, nationality.

In short, you're blind to ideas... most of them!

I cannot imagine how much less productive America or Britain would be if the people who worked in offices, shops, schools and hospitals could not read.

So what a joy to witness a small opportunity for disadvantaged Indian women to be allowed the dignity of attending a class!

The ayahs all had the opportunity to practice choking maneuvers, CPR and basic bandaging on babies and children. They also learned about dealing with burns, seizures, cuts, fevers, heavy bleeding and how to assess why a child might be unconscious. They were given material in Hindi which summarizes what they learned as well as emergency numbers - some of which I didn't know of. They were all great sports and seemed to really appreciate and enjoy the session. It was lovely to watch!

Thanks to East West Clinic here in Delhi for providing the excellent class -- which is on par with the paid first aid training I received in the UK as part of a hostile environments class for journalists a few years ago. Highly recommend it!

Comments

[first aid certification]

This is really great. It is important for people working in nursing homes and educational institutions must know first aid.