World Vision develops 'Anganwadi Center' in Rajasthan

World Vision India has set a milestone by developing a district level "Model Anganwadi Center" at Chainpura Sunda village in Baran district, Rajasthan, as part of its initiative to achieve child well being.

World Vision India's Baran Area Development Programme (ADP) developed the Anganwadi Center which was recently inaugurated by Ms. Jacqui Reeces of World Vision Australia. Ms. Jacqui expressed her appreciation for the commendable partnership between the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme), Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India and World Vision India in the state of Rajasthan.

The 'Model Anganwadi Center' used the already existing structure and remodeled it into a child friendly and educative space both inside and outside. The center is painted with moral pictorial stories, Hindi and English alphabets, numbers and other learning materials. In order to create an interest amongst the children, the center is also equipped with recreational materials such as swings, sliders, sea-rockers, etc.

Designed to create awareness among the community people on health and nutrition for children and women, related messages are painted on the walls of this center. In order to sensitize women about the nutritional status of their children, a growth monitoring chart to measure the nutritional status of children is also painted. The outer walls are painted with pictures for illiterate women in a comparative manner so as to create awareness about impacts of adopting ideal health behaviours.

Mr. Harish Chand, Programme Manager of Baran ADP, provided an overview of the Model Anganwadi Center and the services that will be provided by the center in the days to come. As of now, the Center, besides the space for children, also has a separate room for pregnant women where they can get their regular check-ups done.

Government officials of ICDS, community members from Chainpura Sunda village and also neighbouring villagers expressed their gratitude to World Vision for developing such a model. "This model will be replicated in the other 60 Anganwadi centers within World Vision target areas and also other parts of Rajasthan in collaboration with the government and also other NGOs," said Haris. This initiative will then directly impact the lives of over 1800 children between the ages of 3 years to 6 years.

It is worth noting that a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) was signed between the Government of Rajasthan and Baran ADP to strengthen the capacity of Anganwadi workers, provide technical support and help monitor 60 ICDS centers in 40 villages in August 2009. Since then there has been tremendous change in the functioning of the ICDS centers across the 40 villages.