Project Society for Promotion of Rural Education and Development (SPREAD)

Campaign Story

About the project

Most of the villages are in interiors that makes government schemes inaccessible for community and children. The area is marked by acute poverty, food insecurity, illiteracy, displacement, land alienation, distress migration and exploitation. Children in the region were malnourished and most of the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) centers were dysfunctional.

Making a difference

CRY America Project SPREAD is working to provide access to basic healthcare services to pregnant women and lactating mothers. Reduction of malnutrition among the children between the age of 6 months to 5 years and anemia reduction among the pregnant and adolescent girls. The key activities under the project are growth monitoring of children at ICDS center, counseling to parents for home management practices for reduction of malnutrition.

The way forward

● 97 children 9-12 months old to be completely immunized.
● 24 anganwadis with drinking water availability within/ close to the premises
● 30 adolescent groups to organize sensitization sessions on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Anemia
● 12 schools will receive visits under the new health initiative-Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram

● Meeting with the villagers at community level for developing a health action plan
● Village level sensitization programme for facilitating the institutional birth delivery
● Growth monitoring of the children from 6 months to 6 years reported by mothers
● Meeting with adolescent girls on anemia, health and hygiene
● Training of the adolescent girls group to act as agents to stop child marriage in their village

Project Impact

of children 9-12 months old completely immunized

97

Children (9-12 months) received 3 doses of Hepatitis B

of women that delivered their baby at an institution

645

Girls got access to Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets

pregnant and lactating mothers linked to one or more existing health schemes

111

Women in 2nd or 3rd trimester received 100 IFA tablets and Tetanus injections

of women that delivered their baby at an institution

35

Villages had Village Health & Nutrition Days organized

Last Year’s Grant Disbursed: $19,834

Current Year’s Approved Grant

Health$17,297

Administration$4,168

Total Budget$21,465

A Mother’s Journey: Overcoming Challenges for the Well-being of Her Children

Prabhati Krishna, a 25-year-old woman, lived in a small village with her husband and their 3-year-old son. Their 4-acre plot of land served as their primary source of income through agriculture. Prabhati was a responsible mother who prioritized her family’s well-being. She diligently took her son to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) center for vaccinations, ensuring his good health. Additionally, she actively participated in all the educational sessions offered by the center.

When she discovered that she was expecting her second child. It was still the early stages of her pregnancy, and she registered for antenatal care when she was two months along. During her checkup, she was dismayed to learn that she weighed a mere 56 kilograms and had a hemoglobin level of 11.5. Concerned, the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) advised her to prioritize rest and consume nutritious food twice a day.

However, a few months later, she fell ill and developed a persistent fever that lasted for over a week. Her worried husband took her to the Community Health Center (CHC). After thorough examination, the doctors diagnosed her with malaria. As time passed, Prabhati faced further health challenges, including dysentery, acute muscle pain, and a loss of appetite.

During her second antenatal care checkup, Prabhati’s weight had dropped significantly to 43 kilograms, with her hemoglobin level at a worrisome 8.4. The ANM and ASHA continued to monitor her closely, providing guidance on maintaining a well-balanced diet. In her third checkup, Prabhati’s weight increased slightly to 45 kilograms, while her hemoglobin level improved to 8.8. By the fourth visit, she weighed 50 kilograms, and her hemoglobin level had risen to 10. Despite the progress, she was still considered a high-risk case.

Under the careful supervision of the district hospital, Prabhati successfully delivered her second baby. However, the newborn weighed only 2 kilograms, raising concerns for the health and development of the child. The dedicated CRY team closely monitored the baby’s progress. With exclusive breastfeeding and attentive care, the child’s weight gradually increased to a healthy 3.5 kilograms after three months. Finally, the baby was classified as being in the normal weight category, bringing great relief to Prabhati and her family.

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