We are thrilled to share that AIF’s short film “Sahiya” has won the “YES! i am the CHANGE” award in the top twenty films out of 5,956 films contesting the “Open Challenge” @Social Film making Challenge 2018.

AIF has continuously generated knowledge products, program and institutional materials that capture our journey in successfully implementing sustainable and scalable projects that have resulted in bringing about social and economic changes in India. We understand the significance of films as an impactful medium to convey social messages to our stakeholders, supporters and public at large.

Recognition of AIF’s short-film- “Sahiya” as a potential communication resource is a glaring example of our dedicated efforts to create awareness on social issues, as well as depict stories of change in the social sector through the impactful medium of films. The video shot and edited by Sandeep Kumar Singh, beautifully captures the social impact created by Sahiyas (community health worker, also known as ASHAs), who deliver life-saving healthcare services in rural and impoverished areas in India, as they are equipped and also trained in “Home- Based Maternal, Neonatal and Child Care  (HBMNC)” under our Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI) program.

In the short film, Sahiya Taramuni, shares her journey of being an accredited social health activist (ASHA) in Seraikela, Jharkhand, one of the poor states in India, and how her services have helped in improving maternal health and reducing child mortality.

MANSI has created and strengthened community level groups and institutions to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health as it has contributed significant reductions in NMR (neonatal mortality), IMR (infant mortality) and U5MR (child mortality) by a range of 40% to 50%, almost at the level of national goals.