MOHAN Foundation was invited to The Pupil Saveetha Eco School, Thiruverkadu to deliver a guest lecture on organ donation for the IV grade students on 20th March, 2019. The talk was delivered by Ms. Ishwarya who was assisted by Sunisha S.S and Mr. Albin Joseph (Madras Medical Mission College of Health Sciences), Interns at MOHAN Foundation.

The session that took place in the multi-purpose hall of the school began around 11.00 AM and lasted for an hour and 30 minutes. The IV grade teacher Ms Chandhini Venkatesh welcomed the MOHAN Foundation team. The welcome address was given by Risha, a student who introduced the Foundation team to the audience.

The session started off with a motivational video on organ donation and students sharing their thoughts about the video. The students were a highly excited, interactive and knowledgeable bunch.  Having done their IB project on organ donation, they were already aware of a lot of points related to organ donation. Every child in the group volunteered to answer when questions were asked.

The unending Q&A session was a mix of innocence and eagerness to learn more. It was surprising to see that the students were even aware of the state transplant wait list and brain death. One of the teachers present asked about MOHAN Foundation and its role and how it helps promote organ donation.

The talk covered a wide range of topics that included the following:

• What is organ donation and why is it required
• Organ failure and transplantation
• Organs and tissues that could be donated while living and after brain death
• Brain death and its causes           
• Importance of becoming an organ donor
• Age criteria in organ donation
• What can children do to promote organ donation
  
  

The following were a few questions that were asked:

• Is brain/head transplant is possible?
• Is it OK to accept an organ from an enemy willing to donate?
• Is there any treatment available for brain death?
  
  
• What happens when the families of registered organ donors refuse to donate organ of their loved ones?
• How is plastic surgery done and is plastic used in the surgery?
• Where and how is the donated skin used?
• How many hand transplantations have happened in India?
• How is it possible for people to consent to donate hands?
• Minimum and maximum age for blood donation?

Around 60 students attended the session which was very highly interactive and informative. It was a learning experience for the Foundation team as well. The students listened to the talk with great enthusiasm and found it helpful in clearing up some misconceptions they had. The vote of thanks was given by the student Kavi Oviya.

Following the presentation the Foundation team was invited to visit the IV G classroom. As a part of their IB project they had made informative posters and campaign posters and pasted it on the classroom walls. The posters had infographics and paintings about organ donation. Right age for organ donation, Facts on Organ Donation, when can organs be donated, who is a donor, who is a recipient, what organs can be donated while living, medical condition for organ donation, Human Organs Transplantation Act, rules on organ donation and tissue donation, religious beliefs on organ donation and transplantation surgery costs were some of the poster topics. The children had also made some handmade artefacts, cards and posters for the Foundation, promoting the organ donation message. The students were keen to visit MOHAN Foundation as part of their field visit to learn more about organ donation.