A Conversation With an Anganwadi Worker

Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) serve a critical role in public health and education systems across rural India. As frontline workers they implement government sponsored nutrition initiatives and provide high quality early childhood education to children. Data on Anganwadi Services tell us that there were as many as 1,348,135 AWWs employed across India and roughly 1,023,068 Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) providing additional support as of 2023.

I have been fortunate to witness the incredible impact that AWWs and AWHs have on their communities through my work with AIF’s Integrated Program in Odisha. The more time I spend observing these women, the more I want to know about their lives at and outside of work. I was curious about their personal journeys and what led them to this profession as well as what they believe the future of their communities will look like.

Earlier this month I asked Madhu ji, one of AIF’s program associates, to join me for a visit to the field. Madhu ji has worked alongside AWWs and AWHs in GB Nagar Block for two years while supporting the implementation of AIF’s Integrated Program. She knows the program well and is also a familiar face to many mothers and workers. She helped facilitate a conversation with Tilothama didi.

A photo of four women, all smiling for a photo. — Courtney and AIF field staff are pictured with Tilothama didi. From left: Rukmani ji, Madhu ji, Courtney, and Tilothama didi. Photo Credit: Pungi Murmu

Tilothama didi is a 55-year-old AWW living in Kirkichia Village in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha. Early on in our conversation I learned that she was initially drawn to her work due to there being few employment opportunities for women in her area. Lack of employment was a common issue for rural women in the 90s and continues to be a significant problem today.

Since beginning her work on December 17th, 1992, Tilothama didi has cared for hundreds of mothers and children in Kirkichia. It’s truly heartwarming to know that many children currently enrolled at her center are offspring of those she cared for early on in her profession. She described this as one of the most impactful parts of her job.

When asked about the role that AWWs and AWHs play in their communities, Tilothama didi said that they are among the most valuable assets to young mothers in rural communities. AWWs and AWHs educate mothers on a range of topics including diet diversity and proper hygiene practices. They do this all so that they can empower mothers to better guide their children’s development.

Pungi didi sits on the left, holding her son in her lap. Courtney sits on the right. Both women are smiling for a photo. — Courtney and Pungi didi take a photo together after their conversation. Photo Credit: Madhu Ghadei

Pungi didi, a 25-year-old mother from the village, brings her 26-month-old son to the center daily. She applauded Tilothama didi’s dedication, saying that her child receives great care at the facility. She and Tilothama didi agreed that these centers are incredible community resources and essential for healthy child development.

As I reflect on my project, I feel grateful that I have been able to spend time in Anganwadi Centers. They are essential community hubs that support developing children as well as parents and caregivers. The Integrated Program has helped to strengthen center infrastructure, provide nutrition support, and enhance early learning materials in 388 Anganwadi Centers in Mayurbhanj District. Each of the AWWs as well as their support staff come to their work with diverse backgrounds and experiences. It is empowering to see how they all lead with compassion and commitment in an effort to best support children and communities.

Author

Courtney Moore

Courtney developed a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of women and children by studying and working alongside under-resourced families across the United States and abroad. During her academic career, she independently researched topics ranging from harm reduction initiatives in Nepal to strategies for improving Black maternal health in the United States. This led Courtney to believe that the most transformative change happens at the policy level. She went on to hone her policy research and facilitation skills during her time as senior policy associate at Children’s Funding Project. There, she collaborated with state and local leaders to establish equitable, coordinated, and sustainable funding for child and youth services. Having recently come to a crossroads with a desire to expand her abilities, Courtney embarked on a journey to develop her international field experience and acquire new skill sets to more adeptly serve communities in need. Prior to the Fellowship, Courtney spent a year living and exploring Latin America. She volunteered on public health projects in Peru and Costa Rica, and is grateful for having deepened her understanding of health promotion and education in the context of those countries. She is excited to take all she knows about community-based development and policy-level interventions to her work as a Banyan Impact Fellow.

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