From a Health Camp to Community Development

Tamas Society began its journey in 2009, when it was registered as a non-governmental organization under the West Bengal Society Registration Act, 1961.

The Society’s early work grew from a simple observation: people living in hard-to-reach and underserved communities often have limited access to essential health services. Tamas Society therefore began by taking healthcare and awareness activities closer to the communities that needed them.

2009 — Beginning with Community Health

Among the Society’s early initiatives was a General Health Check-up and Awareness Camp at Bansberia New Boy’s Club in Hooghly District.

The camp brought several services together in one place, including blood pressure and blood sugar testing, ECG, Hepatitis B vaccination and eye testing. Cataract patients were identified and supported for successful operations.

The entire programme was provided free of cost.

This early experience established an important part of Tamas Society’s approach: identify a practical need, take the service directly to the community and remove cost as a barrier wherever possible.

Extending the Work to Children

The Society subsequently extended its community work beyond healthcare.

At Chetla Lock Gate, Ward 82 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Tamas Society supported a programme for extremely underprivileged children between 5 and 14 years of age.

The Nutritious Meal Programme combines nutritious meals with remedial teaching, linking children’s educational needs with their health and wellbeing.

The programme supports 100 children at the centre and is supported by SBI Foundation.

A Continuing Journey

The journey of Tamas Society has therefore developed from its early community health initiatives into work addressing education, nutrition, livelihoods, women and vulnerable communities.

Its story is not simply about the programmes themselves, but about continuing to respond to needs identified within the communities where it works.