The District administration, during the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, launched a unique and highly impactful initiative named "Didimoni" a journey from AWW to Didimoni to enhance child attendance in Aaganwadi centers. The initiative was specifically designed to motivate and recognize the efforts of Anganwadi workers who played a pivotal role in increasing the participation of children in these centers with Piramal Foundation as a technical member. Prince Kumar, batch-17 (Gandhi Fellow) set the platform and highlighted the gaps faced in Anganwadi through “Charcha Mode” regarding poor children attendance and poor enrolment and planned the path towards improvement.
The Problem
Prior to the launch of this initiative, the district was facing challenges with low attendance of children at Anganwadi centers of some Sectors of the District. Despite efforts to promote the benefits of early childhood education and nutrition provided at these centers from the government, many children remained absent, especially from underprivileged backgrounds. This hampered the effectiveness of the government's nutrition and educational programs. Under Lala ICDS Project , Nimaichandpur -Sector 05 was identified as low attendance sector.
The "Didimoni" Initiative with the District Administration and Piramal Foundation
To address this issue, the District administration, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, initiated "Didimoni," a recognition- based program to honor exemplary Anganwadi workers. The name Didimoni, roughly translates to Miss/Lady/Sister.
The initiative was rolled out after rigorous spot visits to various Anganwadi centers by Sector Level Team which comprised of:-
|
BEEO concerned |
Team Leader |
|
Supervisor concerned |
Convener |
|
CRCC of the Service Area |
Member |
|
Head Teacher of LP School |
Member |
|
Prince Kumar-Gandhi Fellow, Piramal Foundation |
Technical Member |
|
Block Coordinator, POSHAN |
Member |
The convergence committee visits were aimed at understanding the ground realities, identifying gaps, and recognizing the Anganwadi workers who were putting extra effort into ensuring that children regularly attended the centers.
Key Features of the Initiative:
Regular Monitoring and Visits: Sector Level Teams conducted frequent surprise visits to the centers to interact with children, parents, and Anganwadi workers. This helped assess the attendance situation in real-time and encouraged workers to maintain high standards of care.
Community Mobilization: The initiative also focused on raising awareness among parents and communities about the importance of sending their children to Anganwadi centers for early childhood education, nutrition, and health services. This was done through community meetings and door-to-door campaigns.
Support and Resources: Lala ICDS Project Office ensured that all Anganwadi centers of Nimaichandpur Sectors were well-equipped with the necessary resources, such as learning materials, nutritious food, and proper infrastructure, to create a welcoming environment for the children.
Results and Impact:
Significant Increase in Attendance: Within a few weeks of launching the "Didimoni" initiative with Piramal Foundation, many Anganwadi centers of Nimaichandpur Sector reported a sharp increase in attendance. Centers that previously struggled with low participation saw a 40% rise in the number of children attending regularly.
Recognition and Motivation: Anganwadi workers of Centre No. 159,162 and 332 under Nimaichandpur Sector whose centers saw a marked increase in child attendance were honored with the title of "Didimoni". At the closing ceremonial programme of 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah three Anganwadi workers received certificates, public recognition, and small monetary incentives as tokens of appreciation from the Project Office.
Boost in Morale: The recognition of Anganwadi workers as "Didimoni" not only motivated them but also created healthy competition among centers to improve attendance. Workers felt empowered and appreciated for their efforts in shaping the future of the children under their care.
Improved Child Nutrition and Learning: With more children attending the centers, the overall health and nutrition of the children improved significantly. Additionally, children benefited from early childhood education, preparing them better for formal schooling.
Conclusion:
The "Didimoni" initiative proved to be a game-changer in improving child attendance at Anganwadi centers across the ICDS Project. It highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of Anganwadi workers and demonstrated how a community-driven approach can bring positive change. As a result with our technical guidance, Lala ICDS Project made significant strides toward achieving the goals of the Rashtriya Poshan Maah by promoting nutrition and education for all children.
The initiative stands as a successful model for other Projects to emulate in their efforts to improve child welfare through Anganwadi services.
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