‘If women are empowered, there is more development in society. Women lead with empathy and care, and they would give a new dimension to the developmental journey of the country.’ – Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India
As we embrace the warmth and significance of Mother’s Day, let’s shine the spotlight on the bedrock of our families and the architects of thriving communities. Mothers, in all their enduring roles, propel the health and vitality of each family member. They are the silent heroes, standing strong as primary caregivers, their influence rippling out to create waves of well-being in communities far and wide.
Beyond the hearth, countless women dedicate their lives to the noble cause of service as frontline warriors in rural healthcare and education in India. As Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), they work tirelessly to ensure the heartbeat of our nation keeps rhythm. With over 13.51 lakh1 AWWs and 9.83 lakh2 ASHA workers providing indispensable care, India thrives with their unwavering resolve.
Launched in the post-COVID-era, on the ethos of nurturing and empowerment, with women at the helm, AIF’s SNEH (Skilling, Nutrition, Education, Health) operates at the nexus of nutrition, health, education, and livelihoods. The program’s multifaceted approach includes delivering nutritious meals to children under 6, training Anganwadi workers for enhanced early childhood care and education, conducting mental health sessions for school-going adolescents, and empowering women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for increased income opportunities.
Through SNEH, AIF drives an integrated approach to confront malnutrition and champions early education and mental health for adolescents, while training AWWs and ASHAs to increase their impact in rural communities.
Living in the small village of Silagathy, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, Rashmi struggled to provide for her family, especially her young daughter, Phulo. Their primary income came from agriculture, and any additional income her husband made from factory work in Chennai barely met their basic needs. Rashmi also took on work as an agricultural laborer or accepted jobs under the MNREGA scheme when she could. Amidst these challenges, the lack of access to nutritional food and early childhood education for Phulo was a constant worry for her.
AIF’s SNEH program came as a lifeline for the family. Once Phulo joined the local Anganwadi Centre (AWC), Rashmi noticed a budding change. Through the program, nutritious hot-cooked meals, crafted from wholesome local ingredients for 6 months to 6 years old children, are shared with joy at Anganwadi Centres (AWC), leaving children like Phulo both nourished and thriving.
Uniting the community in ownership of its children’s health, the SNEH program orchestrates meetings and home visits where every child’s well-being is cherished and guarded. These meetings foster a shared commitment to the well-being of children where valuable information about proper child nutrition and guidance on tracking their children’s health and growth is imparted. Equipped with knowledge, Rashmi started to replicate these meals at home, ensuring Phulo received the same nutrition outside the center too.
SNEH delivers comprehensive training to Anganwadi workers (AWWs) and equips them with teaching materials, and tools to deliver Early Childhood Education (ECE) that incorporates engaging elements like storytelling, making learning a joyful experience.
Along with enjoying wholesome meals at AWC, Phulo’s educational skills also improved. For Rashmi, AIF’s intervention holds a promising future for her daughter. She envisions her daughter overcoming the financial and infrastructural barriers that limit their village, empowered by the education and nutrition provided by the AIF’s SNEH program.
“Seeing my daughter thrive through education and meals at the AWC fills me with hope. Since AIF’s intervention started, her learning and health have improved immensely.” – Rashmi, Phulo’s mother
SNEH’s nurturing touch further extends to training Self Help Group (SHG) women and AWWs in nutrition and healthcare, cultivating resilience and growth, not just in children but in the women who uplift them. SHG women, trained to prepare nutritious meals, find not just purpose but also livelihood, an affirmation of their empowerment and independence.
Communities now embrace a proactive stance on their children’s nutrition, carrying the wisdom of health from AWCs into their homes. The promising early signs suggest a decrease in acute malnutrition and blooming learning capabilities.
The tableau of progress painted by the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-20) heralds a decline in child malnutrition which is a testament to the diligence and compassion of caregivers. Though the challenge persists, it is met with the strength of AWWs and SHGs, fortified by AIF’s support under the bountiful umbrella of the SNEH program.
Additionally, the SNEH’s efforts in reaching out to families have made sharing healthy recipes possible, empowering mothers and caregivers to prepare nourishing food at home. The encouraging outcomes show fewer children suffering from severe and moderate acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM), and there’s anecdotal evidence of enhanced learning abilities in children due to improved diet.
This Mother’s Day let’s recommit to nurturing the nurturers, elevating women’s capacity for leadership, financial autonomy, and independence. Invest in womanhood, and we invest in a world where health and wisdom flourish. Mothers – a gentle yet mighty force propelling us toward a promising future.
