Mangesh Ramesh Medha and his family live in Tadachi Machi, a small tribal village in Jawhar taluka, Palghar district, with a population of 203. Their primary occupations are agriculture and labor. Mangesh’s daughter, Sakshi (name changed), was born weighing 2.5 kg. Due to the family’s financial struggles, Sakshi’s parents had to migrate for work, leading to inadequate breastfeeding and poor care, resulting in Sakshi’s malnutrition.

When the Navajivan project by Action Against Hunger Foundation began in Jawhar taluka, an initial screening between 6-59 months in Tadachi Machi, revealed Sakshi weighed 9.2 kg and was classified as moderately malnourished (MAM), with a height of 84 cm.

Anganwadi Tai and community organizer Jagdish Patil visited Sakshi’s family, where they explained the causes and consequences of malnutrition. They also educated Sakshi’s parents on proper home food, hygiene, and the importance of Take Home Ration (THR). Sakshi’s eating habits were monitored, and her parents were advised to replace processed snacks with fresh home-cooked meals.

Monthly visits included counseling, cooking demos, and handwashing education. A health check-up camp for MAM/SAM children was organized, where Sakshi received a pediatric consultation and treatment. Sakshi’s mother was trained in using MUAC tape, and she was encouraged to send Sakshi to the Anganwadi daily.

Due to financial constraints, Sakshi’s family could not afford fresh vegetables, but Action Against Hunger provided gardening training. They planted seeds, and the family began using homegrown vegetables in their diet, improving Sakshi’s nutrition.

As a result of these interventions, Sakshi’s weight increased to 10 kg, and her height was 86 cm. She moved out of the MAM category into the normal range. Sakshi’s parents were overjoyed, and they expressed their gratitude to the Action Against Hunger Foundation.

When Mehrun Sheikh (name changed) was enrolled in Action Against Hunger’s program, she weighed just 5.2 kg—classified as a child with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Her family struggled to provide a balanced diet, unaware of the importance of diverse food groups and proper hygiene practices.

Through continuous counseling sessions by the team, her mother learned about nutritious food choices, the significance of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices. She also received guidance on reducing fast food consumption, ensuring Mehrun’s diet supported her recovery.

With dedicated intervention and her family’s commitment, Mehrun gradually regained her health and now weighs 6.5 kg. Today, she is healthier, more active, and on the path to a nourished future—one meal at a time.

The Makwana family, originally from Saurashtra, now resides in a rented house in Moraiya village, Sanand Block, Gujarat. Their experience of welcoming preterm twins in the seventh month of pregnancy was fraught with fear, particularly due to the loss of their first baby before birth. Upon the birth of the twins, concerns were amplified as both babies were born with low birth weights, with Raj (name changed) weighing 1.6 kg and Rahul (name changed) 1.4 kg. The twins were placed under doctors’ observation for 14 days following their birth.

Initial Registration and Early Support:

Community Mobilizer (CM) Nita Makwana registered the family in the maternal health program during the mother’s pregnancy. Nita made regular visits to provide essential counselling. Upon hearing about the twins’ birth, Nita immediately visited the family to offer support. She introduced Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and cross-cradle feeding techniques to the family, guiding them through the process for both twins’ recovery.

KMC Intervention and Weight Tracking:

Nita provided the family with KMC bags and educated them on how to implement KMC, a technique involving skin-to-skin contact that is particularly beneficial for preterm and low-birth-weight babies. The family, including the grandparents, worked together to ensure that the twins were receiving regular KMC sessions. However, the family’s challenge was balancing KMC with their financial responsibilities, as both grandparents and the father were employed as daily labourers in the GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation).

Challenges and Guidance

As time passed, Raj’s weight steadily increased, but Rahul’s weight showed only slight improvements, raising concerns. Recognizing the need for consistent care, Akshay Kamble, Assistant Manager for Training and Capacity Building at Action Against Hunger, provided telephonic counselling to the family, stressing the importance of regular KMC. This intervention led to further home visits from Nita and the Advocacy Officer, who provided on-site guidance.

Impact :

Over the course of four months, CM Nita Makwana ensured that the family received continuous guidance, monitoring the twins’ progress and maintaining KMC sessions. Despite the family’s demanding schedule, their commitment to the twins’ care led to a significant improvement in both babies’ health. The weight of the baby during KMC bag usage was recorded as 1.8 kg and 1.7 kg, respectively, and increased to 4.9 kg and 3.3 kg when the KMC bag was taken back.

Project Vruddhi by Action Against Hunger is dedicatedly working towards enhancing nutrition outcomes in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, through collaboration with the ICDS – WCD and Health departments.

Vankar’s extensive community knowledge proves invaluable, particularly in identifying community-level influencers for initiatives like Poshan Chaupal – an initiative by Project Vruddhi aimed at improving nutrition outcomes for both mothers and children.

We commend Vankar for his enthusiasm and valuable contributions. Offering training and development opportunities to personnel in the Health and ICDS departments, represented by Vankar, is a significant stride towards bolstering the system and fostering a sustainable model.

In Malpur village of Vadali block in Sabarkantha, a Community Based Event (CBE) called “Mamta Divas” was taking place, dedicated to maternal and child health. Alongside Community Health Officers (CHO) and Frontline Workers (FLWs), the team from Project Vruddhi — an initiative of Action Against Hunger — participated in supportive supervision during this event.

Fanika Panchal (name changed), a pregnant woman, attended the event. During the counseling session, the team identified that Fanika, who was three months pregnant, weighed only 32 kg. Alarmed by her low weight, the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) explained the importance of a balanced diet and proper medication to her. They planned a joint home visit with the Project Vruddhi team to provide further support and guidance.

When the team visited Fanika at her home, she was hesitant. “I eat enough; I don’t want to increase my weight,” she said defensively. She mentioned eating home-cooked food, including vegetables, but seemed unconvinced about the necessity of weight gain. Despite her reluctance, the team left, hoping to build trust over time. During the next visit, it was discovered that she had been taking calcium and iron tablets together, unaware that this could hinder their absorption. The team advised her to take them at different times, with a gap of four hours, and to include Vitamin C-rich foods to enhance absorption.

During a subsequent home visit, Fanika opened up more. She shared a heartbreaking story: a year after her marriage, she had lost a child. At that time, her weight had not significantly increased, and she feared a similar outcome in this pregnancy. Her fear consumed her, casting a shadow over her hopes. The team comforted her and motivated her to follow a balanced diet and medication regimen. Initially, Fanika’s hemoglobin (HB) level was low at 8.5 g/dl in her first trimester. However, with the support and guidance she received, she gained a glimmer of hope that her HB could improve. This newfound confidence fueled her commitment to follow health advice diligently.

To provide additional support, Fanika was invited to participate in breastfeeding awareness week by Project Vruddhi in August 2022. The FLWs and Project Vruddhi team also invited her to an Anganwadi Center (AWC) to celebrate her baby shower during ‘Suposhan Divas’, marking the start of her seventh month of pregnancy.

When the time came for her delivery, Fanika’s hemoglobin had improved to 11 g/dl, and her weight had increased to 43.2 kg. However, when she delivered a girl child on 18/12/2022, the baby weighed 1.9 kg, categorized as Low Birth Weight (LBW) and a Severely Acuta Malnourished(SAM) child. Despite these challenges, with improved hemoglobin levels, increased weight, and continuous support, Fanika developed trust in the Project Vruddhi team and FLWs.

Post-delivery, she took the initiative to call the ASHA for help with her newborn- Chandni (name changed). The ASHA worker informed Project Vruddhi’s team. Both the ASHA worker and Anganwadi Worker (AWW), along with the Female Health Worker (FHW) in their catchment, have received technical support from Project Vruddhi and participated in trainings on maternal anemia, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding under the first 1000 days of life model.

The FLWs and Project Vruddhi team sensitized Fanika on Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), providing demonstrations on positioning and latching, as she expressed concerns about the baby’s ability to suckle well.

The team also explained and motivated Fanika and her family members on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). They provided continuous support to her family. When the child was six months old, they also helped Fanika and her family initiate Complementary Feeding (CF). The family was guided on diet diversity, quantity, and consistency. The Anganwadi Worker (AWW) also gave Fanika Baalshakti – THR (Take Home Ration) and shared different recipes that could be made from it. Her family was invited to attend a Poshan Chaupal, a nutrition meeting for the community involving husbands and other family caretakers, in September 2023. These meetings, along with several home visits, were designed to educate and empower families about maternal and child health.

Through persistent efforts and dedicated care, Fanika’s daughter Chandni, who once a SAM child, began to thrive. When Chandni was 4 months old, she weighed 4.8 kg, which means she progressed from SAM to Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) status. By the time she turned seven months old, she had progressed to being a healthy child, weighing 6.2 kg. Currently, Chandni is one and a half years old and weighs a healthy 9.600 kg. This transformation has brought immense relief and joy to Fanika and her family.

Reflecting on her journey, Fanika felt empowered and more knowledgeable about maternal and child health. She was determined to take even better care during her next pregnancy, armed with the confidence and experience she had gained.

Fanika’s story is a testament to the power of community support, proper counseling, and the unwavering dedication of health workers. It highlights the impact of initiatives like Project Vruddhi in transforming lives and fostering hope in the face of adversity.

On October 30, 2023, a dedicated team from Project Vruddhi, an initiative by Action Against Hunger, alongwith Frontline Workers (FLWs) conducted joint home visits of identified families in Dedhrota village of Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha.

They visited the home of Rupangi (name changed) and her husband Atit (name changed), where they met their newborn daughter, Divya (name changed), who was just three days old. As they approached the house, they found Rupangi was bathing little Divya. The team observed that the baby was shivering, which prompted immediate concern from the team and FLWs. The Field Coordinator of Project Vruddhi realizing that the baby is going into hypothermia, quickly wrapped Divya in towels to warm her up. Then asked the mother gently the reason for bathing the baby in cold weather. Rupangi explained that they had just returned from the hospital, and wanted to clean the baby. Then the mother was taught Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and explained the importance that skin-to-skin contact was vital to keep Divya warm and help her thrive. Demonstrating the technique, they placed Divya on Rupangi’s chest and ensured she was comfortable. They then guided the family on Kangaroo Family Care (KFC) practices to be followed at home.

Divya weighed just 2.4 kg at birth. When Block Coordinator Amit Suthar asked Atit about their feeding practices, he revealed they had been giving Divya packaged milk as she struggled to breastfeed. Recognizing the need for proper guidance, the team and FLWs demonstrated correct positioning and latching techniques to help with breastfeeding. They emphasized the importance of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF), explaining that a mother’s milk contains all the nutrients essential for a child’s growth and development.

Over the next few months, the team continued to visit and support Rupangi. They provided further demonstrations on breastfeeding, ensuring that Rupangi was confident and comfortable. By the time Divya was six months old, they assisted in introducing complementary foods, ensuring her nutritional needs were met.

The success story of Divya in Dedhrota village stands as a testament to the power of joint and consistent efforts in community health initiatives. It brought immense relief and joy to Rupangi, Atit, and their family, showcasing the profound impact of targeted interventions and compassionate care.

In the heart of Dharni Block, Maharashtra, Bansi Sawalkar’s (name changed) journey with pisciculture not only transformed her family’s livelihood but also became a beacon of community support. For six years, Action Against Hunger has been dedicated to uplifting 39 villages, focusing on nutrition, health, food security, and education. In February 2023, they introduced a Fish Farming Project in collaboration with Jaljeevika, aiming to bolster Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) in the region.

Bansi, a registered beneficiary immersed in maternal and child nutrition education, caught the attention of the ACF field team with her 20×20 meter farm pond. Initially hesitant due to childcare duties, Bansi entrusted her husband and father-in-law to attend training at the Titamba Aqua school. Equipped with knowledge of pond preparation, fish species, and management techniques, they returned to kickstart the project.

The journey wasn’t without challenges. After meticulous pond cleaning and embankment leveling, Bansi and her family embraced integrated farming, planting papayas, lemons, custard apples, guavas, and vegetables like drumsticks around the pond. Their dedication saw the pond stocked with fish by September, though heavy rains later caused losses, testing their resilience.

With support from Action Against Hunger, Bansi rebounded in March 2024 by releasing 200 Pangasius fish hatchlings. Diligently adhering to water quality checks and integrating pond water for crop irrigation, she optimized their agricultural yield. By June 2024, their efforts bore fruit—literally and figuratively—as the fish grew to 400-500 grams, ready for market.

Bansi demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by initiating fish sales in Salai and nearby villages at Rs 200 per kg. Showing her community-focused approach, she provided a 50% discount to 8 pregnant and lactating women, creating a supportive network.

For Bansi Sawalkar (name changed) and her family, the income from fish farming has not only complemented their farming but has also brought a sense of fulfillment and stability. Their journey underscores how empowerment and perseverance can ripple through communities, igniting hope and prosperity where it’s needed most.

In the heart of Sathe Nagar, during a routine check-up at Anganwadi 148, a young girl named Sharda Kamble(name changed) was assessed for her nutritional status. Her measurements indicated she was suffering from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). The community mobilizer attempted to explain MAM to Sharda’s mother, who did not understand Hindi. Fortunately, Sharda’s aunt, fluent in the language, conveyed the information effectively.

Sharda’s family had recently relocated from their village to Mumbai, marking this as her inaugural weight assessment. The community mobilizer inquired about Sharda’s low weight, to which the aunt confessed ignorance, attributing it to their recent move. An MAM card was issued to Sharda’s mother, detailing the necessary follow-ups and dietary advice.

A subsequent home visit revealed Sharda’s limited diet, consisting mainly of paratha, tea, and dal rice, sometimes skipping dinner altogether. The community mobilizer educated the family on healthier alternatives and the adverse effects of tea on children.

After 15 days, a noticeable improvement in Sharda’s weight was observed, thanks to her mother’s adherence to the new dietary regimen. Despite the family’s resistance to change, particularly from the elder members, the community mobilizer persisted, bringing a counselor on the next visit to address the family’s reliance on outside food.

The counselor engaged in a thoughtful dialogue with Sharda’s father and grandmother, drawing parallels between the girl’s diet and the grandmother’s own nutritional needs. This comparison sparked a realization within the family, leading to a shift towards more nutritious, homemade snacks.

As a result of these concerted efforts, Sharda’s health improved significantly. She was admitted to the program on January 31st and, by April 10th, was discharged with a healthy weight gain from 12.8 kg to 14 kg, a testament to the power of community support and proper nutrition.

Our commitment remains unwavering: to transform harmful habits and ensure that every child in our community, aged six months to five years, can break free from malnutrition, just like Sharda.

In August 2023, at Anganwadi in Govandi, Maharashtra, 11-month-old Anshula Shaikh (name changed) was assessed and found to have low weight compared to her height by a Community Mobilizer (CM) from Action Against Hunger. Anshula weighed 7 kg, measured 65.5 cm in height, had a MUAC of 120 mm, and a WHZ score of -2. The CM informed Anshula’s mother that a Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) card would be created for her daughter from Action Against Hunger, and her weight would be monitored every 15 days by the CM. Anshula’s mother mentioned that the child had experienced vomiting and a fever in the past 15 days but was currently fine. The CM advised her to provide boiled water, avoid open food, and feed Anshula freshly cooked meals.

However, after another 15 days, Anshula’s weight had decreased. Upon inquiry, the CM discovered that Anshula was only breastfed and not given complementary food. The CM educated the mother on introducing complementary food, emphasizing diet diversity, quantity, and frequency.

Despite a slight improvement in weight after 15 days, Anshula’s weight was still 200 grams less than her admission weight. The CM sought the assistance of a counselor who found out that the mother struggled financially because the father had dual marriages and was reluctant to spend on Anshula’s health. The CM and counselor jointly ensured that Anshula’s mother received Take Home Ration (THR) from the Anganwadi Center (AWC) and provided guidance on using THR ingredients like moong dal, toor dal, rice, and semolina to prepare nutritious meals.

With consistent follow-ups and home visits, Anshula’s health improved, leading to her discharge in March 2024. Her seven-month journey included 13 Out Patient Treatment (OTP) follow-ups and 7 home visits, resulting in Anshula weighing 7.6 kg, measuring 68.3 cm in height, with a MUAC of 126 mm, and a WHZ score of -1. The goal extended beyond Anshula’s recovery to empowering her mother for the family’s future well-being.

Gram Chaurakhadi is nestled along the banks of a river, near the border of Madhya Pradesh, and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The village is predominantly inhabited by the Sahariya community. While the primary health center is located 15 kilometers away, the sub-health center is closer, situated 5 kilometers away in Bil Kheda Dang.

On June 14, 2019, during a screening session, Kishan was identified as severely malnourished, with a MUAC (Mid Upper Arm Circumference) of 94. His mother passed away when he was just 5 months old, and since then, he has been under the care of his grandmother, Dulari Bai Sahariya, and his grandfather, Mohanlal. When Kishan developed diarrhea and fever, his family sought help from practitioners of witchcraft, but his condition did not improve. As part of these rituals, a goat was sacrificed twice, costing them more than 10,000 rupees. Despite visiting a private doctor in Devri, Kishan’s health continued to deteriorate.

Following a screening conducted by our community mobilizer, it was evident that Kishan’s condition was critical. His grandparents and father were immediately informed about the Malnutrition Treatment Center (MTC), and Kishan was admitted on the same day.

After some initial improvement, Kishan’s grandmother brought him back to the village without consulting the doctor, staying at the MTC for only 5 days. Since Kishan was still unwell, he was sent to the Baran MTC for further treatment through the Anganwadi worker and our community mobilizer. After a noticeable improvement, Kishan’s grandmother brought him back home, following the doctor’s advice. Subsequently, our community mobilizer made regular follow-up visits to Kishan’s home, guiding his grandmother on preparing nutritious meals and providing nutritional support from the Anganwadi. The visits emphasized the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet. The Anganwadi worker was also instructed to visit Kishan’s home regularly.

Through persistent efforts, Kishan’s condition gradually improved. Today, seeing him smile and play, we are immensely gratified.