Promoting Childcare and Nutrition Among Tribal, High Migration Communities

Rural communities in Rajasthan are comprised of a high proportion of tribal populations living in scattered and poorly accessible habitations. The population lives in abject poverty, and young children are often left in the care of older siblings, grandparents, or even left alone by themselves as their fathers migrate to other cities and states for work, and their mothers deal with a myriad of chores from farming, tending to livestock, cooking, etc. These factors contribute to high levels of malnutrition.

Our partner, Basic HealthCare Services, began running child care centers called phulwaris (meaning a bed of flowers) for young children to provide them a nurturing environment, nutritious food, engagement, and play for cognitive development housed in the center of villages managed by two local women trained in childcare and nutrition.

The centers operate from 9 am to 5 pm and provide 3 nutritious meals that ensure approximately 100% of the daily protein requirement and 70% of the daily calorie requirement for a child. In addition, outreach workers provide growth monitoring and nutrition education to families and promote kitchen gardens and poultry for household food security.

Our goal is to help support 3 existing phulwaris while also helping with the start and implementation of 3 additional phulwaris by February 2023!