Project Narmada – Direct Intervention

Campaign Story

About the project

The Dediapada block of Narmada district in Gujarat is a tribal-dominated area. Apart from the MNREGA program, there is little work available for members to support their families. People rely solely on monsoon farming, which is insufficient to sustain their livelihoods. The community’s health is severely impacted due to the low literacy rate. Children and women suffer from malnutrition and anemia because of poor eating habits. Immunization of new born children is irregular and not thoroughly monitored. Members lack nutritional awareness and cannot afford nutritious food. Additionally, Anganwadi Centers, Government Centers, and Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers lack sufficient infrastructure and facilities.

Making a difference

CRY America’s project in Narmada works provide health and nutritional support to the children and women of the community. Key activities under this project include registering pregnant women with anganwadi centers, ensuring institutional deliveries, immunizing children and forming children’s collectives to address health issues. Another key focus is to drive awareness campaigns on nutritious food, hygiene, and kitchen gardens.

The way forward

● Register 50 pregnant women with the anganwadi centers and provide Iron Folic Acid tablets.
● Ensure institutional delivery for all 56 women.
● Immunize 103 newborn children
● Monitor the growth of all 629 children aged 0-6 years in the anganwadi centers regularly.
● Identify and refer 31 Severely Underweight (SUW) children aged 0-5 years to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC).
● Conduct life skills sessions with members of 20 children collectives.
● Conduct workshops to educate and empower 441 adolescent girls on issues related to anemia and reproductive health.

Project Impact

Adolescent Collectives Members Sensitized on Education Issues

1,016

Children trained on life skill modules

Children Enrolled for Primary Education

82

Institutional deliveries ensured

newborn children immunized

112

Newborn children immunized

Children Attended Bridge Classes

435

Adolescent girls attended workshops on hygiene, nutritious food, and kitchen gardening.

School Management Committee (SMC) members received training on school development plans

112

Lactating mothers received Take Home Ration from anganwadis

Adolescent Collectives Members Sensitized on Education Issues

441

Anemia tests conducted

children’s growth monitored

623

Children’s growth monitored

Severely Underweight children referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Center

33

Severely Underweight children referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Center

Current Year’s Approved Grant (April to Dec 2024) $20,732

Last Year’s Grant Disbursed (Jan to Dec, 2023) – $297,425

From collecting mica to aspiring to join the military

12 years old, Badri Routh, lived in a small village of Jharkhand. After his father’s accidental demise, his mother found it challenging to run a family of five by working at a brick factory. To ease up his mother’s efforts, Badri, the eldest, started working in a mica factory. His desire for learning caught the attention of CRY America’s CARC (Child Adolescent Research Center) through the children’s collective in his village. When Badri met with the project team, he expressed his willingness to study despite the financial constraints. The team counselled him along with his mother. He got to know about the facilities available at the CARC including free books, computer courses, and support tuitions.

With a vision to end their vicious cycle of poverty, Badri’s mother agreed to re-enrol him in middle school. Badri has now learnt the basics of computer applications like MS Office and uses them to optimize his tasks. Badri has also applied for the Sponsorship Scholarship for Children of Single Parents, a scheme run by the Jharkhand Government.

Badri’s success does not stop with his journey back to school. He takes care of his fitness with his stunning football skills as he dreams to join the Indian Army after completing his education.

*Name changed to protect child’s identity and AI generated pic used.

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