Project Vatsalya

Campaign Story

About the project

The Datia district of Madhya Pradesh has a predominantly tribal population. Unlike urban dwellers, this community is unaware of their human rights and frequently faces resource constraints that impact their ability to live a healthy life. Low-income levels, food scarcity, inadequate sanitation facilities, and lack of healthcare access are compelling factors contributing to malnutrition and anaemia among the women and children of Datia. 60% of pregnant women are anemic, leading to high-risk pregnancies. Elevated rates of child and maternal mortality are alarming concerns for this district.

Making a difference

CRY America Project Vatsalya works at providing healthcare access and nutritional support to the women and children of 10 villages in Datia district. The key activities under this project include the identification of women with high-risk pregnancies, fostering ante-natal care, ensuring institutional deliveries, immunization of new-born children, and driving awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene. Another focus of this project is forming adolescent girl collectives to sensitize issues of menstrual hygiene.

The way forward

● Track and monitor 220 high-risk pregnant women to ensure Ante Natal Care and immunization for mother and child.
● Ensure institutional delivery for 198 women with high-risk pregnancies.
● Ensure full immunization of 280 children by networking with ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), ANM (Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife), and AWW (Anganwadi Workers).
● Organize 16 health camps to address anaemia in adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating women.
● Monitor and track the immunization of 900 children aged 0-5 years.
● Train 50 adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene.
● Conduct haemoglobin tests for 150 adolescent girls.
● Empower 150 adolescent boys and 150 adolescent girls with health and nutritional values.

Project Impact

Pregnant and lactating women received antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC)

287

pregnant and lactating women received antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC)

Children immunized

97

children immunized

Patients attended health camps

605

patients attended health camps

Pregnant and lactating women attended nutrition workshops

159

pregnant and lactating women attended nutrition workshops

Families trained in kitchen gardening practices

234

families trained in kitchen gardening practices

Collectives formed with 300 pregnant women and adolescent girls

10

collectives formed with 300 pregnant women and adolescent girls

Adolescent girls trained in life skills sessions

121

adolescent girls trained in life skills sessions.

Current Year’s Approved Grant (April to Dec 2024): $17,890

Current Year’s Approved Grant (Jan to Dec 2024): $17,366

Changing perspective towards vaccination

Medha is a dedicated housewife and mother of three daughters from the tribal community of Datiya district. Due to financial constraints from her husband’s inconsistent income, their healthcare and education were neglected. Medha initially avoided vaccinations for her daughters due to misconceptions and cultural taboos. She believed that taking the vaccination would have no impact on her children’s health.

CRY America’s Vatsalya Project, recognizing this mental barrier, stepped in to address Medha’s concerns. The CRY team, along with local self-help groups and Anganwadi health workers, enlightened Medha through meaningful discussions. They also dispelled the myths about vaccinations, emphasizing their importance. Through constant counseling, Medha was convinced, and her perspective shifted. Consequently, she took her youngest daughter to the Village Health, Nutrition, and Sanitation Day (VHND) and successfully had her vaccinated.

Medha’s perspective change not only helped to ensure her daughter’s health, but also influenced hundreds of households to come forward and get their children vaccinated. She has successfully become the pioneer and agent of influence benefitting the entire Datiya community.

Project Photo Gallery