megram - Index

megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's East End - Index

about Child Haven International
Founded in 1985, Child Haven International is a
registered charity.
It is inspired by the ideals and philosophy of
Mahatma Gandhi.
Girls and boys are treated equally, and without
regard to race, caste, colour, religion, or culture.
Child Haven raises the children in accordance
with the ideals of their own cultures.
It helps children and women in need of food,
education, health care, shelter, and clothing, and
emotional and moral support in four countries.
There are Child hHaven International homes in
Bangladesh, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kaliyampoondi,
Nepal, Savarsai, and Tibet.
Other projects include improving the lives of disadvantaged
women through training and employment.
Currently, 20 women are being offered training
in tailoring, weaving, and computer science. Another
50 have been trained as SoyaCow technicians and
more than 100 participate in literacy classes.
Child Haven homes employ over more than 100
women as managers, teachers, ayahs, dhobis, cooks,
office assistants, matrons, and health care professionals.
Child Haven is now helping 10 children and
three adults in Afghanistan.
Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma)
Gandhi (1869-1948) was a key figure
in the Indian independence
movement. A lawyer, educated in
England, he lived simply and advocated
non-violent resistance to
tyranny through mass civil disobedience
(Satyagraha), while never straying
from truth. He led nationwide
campaigns for the alleviation of
poverty, the liberation of women,
the promotion of brotherhood
among differing religions and ethnicities,
an end to discrimination
and encourage economic self-sufficiency
and the independence of
India from foreign domination.
Boosting a
Child’s Car Safety
Due East Magazine • Page 10 • Spring 2008
Booster seats save lives
BY KIRSTEN COUPLAND-TARDIF
Every year, more than 35 children between the ages of four
and nine die in car crashes. Another 360 are seriously injured
and need to be hospitalized. According to Safe Kids Canada
(2004), that’s more than one child killed or seriously injured
every day.
While motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
death and serious injury, those aged four to nine years of age
are the most vulnerable. This is because most are riding in
seat belts, which puts them at risk for serious injuries in the
event of a crash. Seat belts are designed for adult bodies, and
generally children are not big enough to fit in one properly
until they are at least nine years old.
In the event of a crash, children who are too small can run
the risk of what doctors call “seat belt syndrome” — a term
used to describe the range of injuries that occur to the internal
organs and spine when a seat belt does not fit properly.
A booster seat raises a child’s body so that the seat belt
fits them properly. It ensures that the shoulder belt sits on
the shoulder and the lap portion sits over the hipbones.
Ontario law requires children under eight years of age
who weigh between 18 and 36 kilograms (40 to 80 pounds)
and have a standing height of less than 145 centimetres (four
feet nine inches) to be transported in a booster seat. The
booster seat law was developed based on the average height
and weight of children in this age group.
However, if your child meets only one of the criteria —
is eight years old and weighs 27 kilograms (60 pounds) but is
only 130 centimetres (four feet three inches) tall — it still
may be safer to use a booster seat. To determine whether
your child is big enough to use a seat belt, try this simple test.
Have the child put on the seat belt in the vehicle. Then check
for three things:
• The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and
across the middle of the child’s chest. It should not
touch the neck.
• The lap belt should fit low over the hip bones. It should
not sit over your child’s stomach area.
• Your child’s knees should bend comfortably over the
edge of the vehicle seat. He or she should not slouch in
the seat.
For more information, call the Ottawa Public Health
Information Line at 613 580-6744 or TTY 613 580-9656, or
visit ottawa.ca/health.
Kirsten Coupland-Tardif, RN, BScN, is a public health nurse with
the Early Years Health Program of Ottawa Public Health.