Thread by @prashanthns

1/ #Vaccination #Adivasi #COVID thread; day begins with an orientation meeting to #Solega #Adivasi leadership on #vaccination at a hamlet; we address doubts and misconceptions; leaders criticise the stereotype of #Tribal Community as being hesitant and "running away";

2/ ask that officials & NGOs engage meaningfully and respectfully with their leadership at multiple levels; refuse the idea that they are ALL hesitant which often prevails among "others"; they explain what is the best way of engaging #Adivasi communities

3/ They offer to identify #COVID volunteers in each podu (hamlet); volunteers can be oriented in small groups & shall help with obtaining proper consent and participation of their elders;

4/ important that the vaccine is introduced into their community by them; build #trust; PDO and CEO of #ZillaPanchayat patiently listen to all leaders speaking, take notes, assure support for #CommunityEngagement & link to local livelihood opportunities #MNREGA

5/ They appreciate that the #ZillaPanchayat is able to have a special focus on #Adivasis; leaders stress that this is much needed because many of them being numerically smaller tend to get "left out"; ask for continued engagement till #vaccination completed

6/ All of us go to a nearby hamlet where #vaccination ongoing; a queue for testing (this is new because of trust built through #CommunityEngagement), 3 more test positive but feel safe that they will go to an exclusive #Adivasi facility set up recently;

7/ Sangha gathers and suggests the name "Adivasi COVID Seva Kendra" and thank the administration for taking this up; they discuss the formation of a committee that can oversee including Drs, ASHAs, officials, NGOs and #Solega community members

8/ 10 get vaccinated (many dont come); Leaders suggest that we brainstorm nearby; we find a tree; hours of careful strategising on how to proceed; training for COVID volunteers among #Solega youth proposed; planning done & rolling out day after tomorrow!

9/ PDO and President of local Panchayat join and willing to help; NGOs IPH & VGKK co-opted by the Sangha into operations and so begins the Sangha's efforts at securing #vaccination for the #Solega;

10/ we discuss how this too like their #ForestRights which they struggled for, is their right to receive #vaccine safely and in a timely manner; I see a resolve that the leadership commits to #vaccination on mission mode, but we worry abt supplies & app-related barriers?

11/ we discuss the difficulty that #CoWin imposes for registration and the Sangha decides to advocate for an appraoch that is better suited to their setting and they will take it forward