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.

At eight months, Divya gained a healthy weight of 7 kg. The combined efforts of Project Vruddhi and the dedicated FLWs saved her from malnutrition and set her on a path to thriving health.

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.