Project Eco Foundation for Research and Training (EFFORT)

Campaign Story

About the project

Bhadradri Kothagudem, a tribal-dominated district in Telangana that depends majorly on agriculture for their livelihood. The community faces significant challenges in early childhood care and maternal health. The Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) in the region lack basic infrastructural facilities, leading to poor execution of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Program. Due to inadequate living standards, limited healthcare access, and low awareness of prenatal and postnatal care, children suffer from anemia, malnutrition, and severe stunting. Additionally, maternal health is compromised as many women remain unaware of the importance of institutional deliveries.

Making a difference

CRY America’s Project Eco Foundation for Research & Training (EFFORT) aims to improve healthcare access, provide nutritional support, and promote family participation across 44 villages in Bhadradri Kothagudem District. The project focuses on identifying vulnerable families, offering counseling for children and maternal health, tracking pregnant women and lactating mothers, supporting malnourished children, ensuring newborn immunization, and enhancing the infrastructure of Anganwadi Centers.

The way forward

● Track 50 pregnant and lactating mothers.
● Activate Health, Nutrition and Sanitation Committees in 5 villages
● Track and monitor immunization for 517 children aged 7 months to 3 years
● Establish Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in 10 villages.
● Sensitize parents of 46 children under 6 months on immunization
● Formation of Community Based Organizations in 10 villages
● Growth monitoring of 647 children aged 3-6 years
● Introduce kitchen garden in 5 villages and protein garden in 5 villages
● Facilitate formation of Child Collectives and Adolescent Girl’s collectives in 20 villages.
● Implement Life Skill year 1 modules in 10 Child Collectives

Project Impact

Child laborers identified and re-enrolled in schools

23

Pregnant women encouraged to seek prenatal care.

Dropped out children identified and re-enrolled in schools

96

Pregnant and lactating women monitored for health progress.

Youth and women trained in skill-based programs

564

Children (aged 0-3 months) tracked for health progress.

Families received MGNREGA job cards

1,249

Children (aged 10-18 years) monitored for collective formation.

Villages facilitated with Community-Based Organization (CBO) centers

3,304

Children’s Baseline Data Analysis conducted from 1,806 households.

Last year’s disbursed grant: $ 32,692

Budget approved for Jan’25 to Dec’25:

Health$36,869

Administration$4,648

Total Budget$41,517

Minamma’s path to safe birth

The isolated habitation of Bandrevu Panchayat lacks a nearby Primary Health Center, forcing women to opt for home deliveries instead of institutional ones. Additionally, the family income of community members is so low that pregnant and lactating women are compelled to work despite experiencing pre- and post-partum pain to support their livelihood.

Minamma*, who was married early at just 16 and became pregnant at 18, was also expected to work to supplement her family’s income. When the project team identified her high-risk pregnancy, they intervened immediately. Upon reviewing her health records, they discovered that despite her registration with Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), she was not availing of nutritional care and facilities due to a lack of awareness. Her negligence towards health resulted in high blood pressure and anemia.

The project team counseled Minamma and her parents, sensitizing them on the importance of immediate medical support and institutional delivery. After persistent efforts, they finally convinced her family. With the team’s support, Minamma completed a full health check-up at the Primary Health Center, where she received essential medication to boost her hemoglobin levels and immunity.

During her institutional delivery, when her newborn was diagnosed as underweight, the project team persuaded Minamma’s family and immediately referred the baby to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC).

After 12 days of monitoring and care by the frontline workers, both Minamma and her newborn were finally out of danger and safe at home.

*Name changed to protect child’s identity.

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