June 2025 - Action Against Hunger

For decades, Anganwadi Centers have been the heartbeat of India’s rural child development, nurturing young minds and supporting mothers through essential education, nutrition, and healthcare services. Their role extends beyond the individual child, they impact entire villages by improving access to essential resources and creating a foundation for lifelong well-being.

The Challenge:

Many Anganwadi Centers in Dhar (Madhya Pradesh), Baran (Rajasthan), Sanand (Gujarat), and parts of Chhattisgarh have fallen into disrepair. Years of neglect, harsh weather, and poor sanitation threaten children’s development and mothers’ health. Without clean water, functional toilets, and safe learning spaces, children miss out on critical early learning, and mothers lose vital support.

The Response:

Action Against Hunger India stepped in to restore hope, rebuild trust, and reimagine these spaces of care and learning.

Madhya Pradesh – A New Beginning in Sindoda and Rethiya

In Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, we’ve reimagined the local Anganwadi Center into a vibrant space that prioritizes care, safety, and learning. With upgraded infrastructure, modern sanitation facilities, and child-friendly amenities, the center now offers an environment that truly supports the early development of children. This transformation lays the groundwork for a healthier future and a stronger, more resilient community.

Rajasthan – Repainting Hope in Baran

In Baran, Rajasthan, we’re revitalizing Anganwadi Centers with a fresh coat of color and a renewed commitment to child well-being. These renovations go beyond aesthetics as they bring warmth, energy, and purpose into spaces where young minds begin their journey. With every new wall, piece of furniture, and child-focused enhancement, these centers are becoming places where children feel safe, seen, and excited to learn.

Gujarat – A Brighter Tomorrow in Sanand

At Navapura 1 Anganwadi Center in Sanand, Gujarat, the transformation reflects our belief in creating joyful, educational spaces. As part of the Ashraya phase, we carried out civil repairs, introduced vibrant BALA (Building as Learning Aid) artwork, and upgraded basic facilities. This community-driven effort has turned the center into an inspiring place that fosters growth, creativity, and collective care.

The Impact

This transformation is about more than repairing buildings, it’s about restoring dignity and creating lasting change.

With clean water, safe sanitation, and enriched learning environments, we’re giving children the chance to grow in safe, nurturing spaces. We’re supporting mothers with the resources and care they need. And we’re strengthening rural communities from the ground up.

Each refurbished Anganwadi Center now stands as a testament to what’s possible when compassion meets action, and a promise of brighter futures for generations to come.

Anemia is a silent crisis — one that affects millions across rural India, yet often goes unnoticed. In Dharni, many women, adolescents, and young children live with the daily fatigue, weakness, and long-term health risks associated with this condition. Left unaddressed, anemia can impair growth, learning, maternal health, and overall well-being.

Recognising the urgency of this challenge, Action Against Hunger India, with the support of NAOS, has launched a targeted Anemia Project across 33 villages in Dharni block. This marks a significant expansion of our reach and a deepening of our commitment to community health.

The project specifically focuses on four key vulnerable groups:

Newly married women, who often face health vulnerabilities due to early pregnancies and limited access to healthcare;
Pregnant and lactating mothers, whose nutritional status directly affects both maternal and child health;
Adolescent girls, who are at high risk of iron deficiency due to menstruation and poor dietary intake;
Children under five, for whom anemia can hinder physical growth and cognitive development.

Our approach combines:

Community-based screening and identification of anemia using simple diagnostic tools;
Nutrition education and counselling to promote iron-rich diets using locally available foods;
Distribution of iron and folic acid supplements, deworming tablets, and referrals where needed;
Capacity building of frontline workers and community volunteers to sustain impact;
Behaviour change communication campaigns to promote health-seeking behaviour, early diagnosis, and preventive practices.

With this initiative, we hope to shift the narrative — from silence to awareness, from fatigue to strength, and from vulnerability to resilience. We believe that good health is the foundation of every dream, and no child, girl, or mother should be left behind due to a preventable condition like anemia.

This is not just a health intervention — it’s a step towards dignity, equity, and opportunity for every individual in these villages. Together with NAOS, we are creating healthier beginnings and stronger futures.