Every Child is a Champion : Job Zachariah [ Chief of UNICEF Jharkhand ]

Simdega, Jharkhand, 11 March2015 :: Job Zachariah, Chief of UNICEF Jharkhand said that every child is a champion. He was speaking to over 60 young members of UNICEF’s ‘Main Hoon Champion’ programme in Jambahar village of Simdega today.

Mr Zachariah said that health and education are an individual’s biggest asset. He urged students to take Iron tablets provided in schools every week to address the issue of anemia. He advised children to wash hands with soap before eating food and after going to toilet. “You should ask your parents to construct toilet in your home. Open defecation is one of the main reason for diseases, malnutrition and death of children in Jharkhand”, he said.UNICEF’s ‘Main Hoon Champion’ programme, implemented through the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), aims to develop life skills on health, nutrition, sanitation and education through sports. The programme also aims to developleadership and communication skills as well as a sense of team spirit among the youth.

The Main Hoon Champion programme is being implemented in 40 villages of Simdega and Thethaitanger blocks in Simdega district covering over 2000 youth. Under the programme, each village has sports clubs for boys and girls with a club name, song and flag. Each club organizes sports activities every day.

 Mahima Kerketta, district coordinator of the programme in Simdega district said, “The programme has been able to mobilize the village youth and channelize their energy through sports. There is tremendous enthusiasm among the village boys and girls as well as their parents about the programme.

Leo Ganguly, sports specialist of the programme said, “The programme is being implemented in 480 villages across 12 district covering over 25,000 youth.