How Passionate Volunteers Are Helping Transform Lives in Underserved Communities

How Passionate Volunteers Are Helping Transform Lives in Underserved Communities

Nand Ghar project aims to transform the lives of 7 crore children and 2 crore women across the 13.7 Lakh Anganwadi centres across India by providing and supporting holistic early childhood education, primary healthcare, nutritional requirements and skill development for women

By strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem, Project Nand Ghar is bridging the gap between urban and rural India

An emerging trend in community development is the rise of socially conscious people serving as passionate volunteers to transform underserved communities. This trend highlights a shift towards more grassroots-driven solutions, where dedicated individuals play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and fostering resilience in rural areas. Such are the stories of volunteers at Nand Ghar, where their dedicated efforts are driving profound community transformation.

Ankit Srivastava, one of the founding members from the TTF (Try To Fight) Foundation, an advocate for impactful journalism and social change, volunteered at Varanasi Nand Ghar to bring underprivileged children into the mainstream education system. His efforts focused on innovative education strategies to bridge the gap for these children and open new opportunities for their future. By making learning both accessible and engaging, Ankit emphasized activity-based learning through fun educational games and interactive lessons, creating an environment where learning feels like play.

Student volunteer and research scholar Tanvi Singhvi from IIHMR University during her volunteering days with Nand Ghar studied the user experience of the Poshan Tracker app and with her learnings recommended regular training sessions for all Anganwadi workers to enhance their roles and an optimised use of the Poshan Tracker app. Tanvi also suggested introduction of features on the app that would ensuring accurate distribution of ration thus shall lead to less wastage of resources. She found her experience enriching, gaining firsthand knowledge about the state machinery, visiting the Directorate to learn about various schemes along with fruitful interactions with ICDS officials at the state level.

Another volunteer, Ram Pratap Yadav, Associate Manager Operations at BALCO, shared, “I experienced immense joy while volunteering at Nand Ghar during the ‘Joy of Giving’ campaign, a flagship initiative of BALCO CSR. Celebrating my friend’s birthday there, I was affectionately called the ‘Colour Wale Hero Bhaiya’ by the children, which touched my heart deeply. Distributing drawing supplies and seeing their faces light up with pure joy was a truly moving experience. Engaging in creative activities and teaching them the basics of the alphabet and numbers brought back cherished memories of my college volunteer days. The eager faces, bright eyes, and innocent laughter reminded me of the significant impact we can have on young minds. This experience will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Alongside these stories emerges the story of resilient and eager Anganwadi worker Sunita Sain. A 52-year-old Anganwadi worker from Nand Ghar in Vatika village, Jaipur, Sunita completed her 10th-grade education despite numerous challenges, including early marriage and financial constraints. Her relentless passion for learning led her to become an Anganwadi worker responsible for imparting primary education to local children.

Motivated by the Nand Ghar project and her daughter, she pursued and completed her 10th-grade education while delivering her duties of an Anganwadi worker. Sunita’s thirst for knowledge remains unquenched; she is currently preparing for her 12th-grade exams and aspires to enhance her English proficiency. Her story represents the transformative power of education, resilience, and community support. Now, she not only contributes to the education of local children but also inspires those around her with her indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to learning.

A network of vibrant, modern and fully equipped Anganwadis, Nand Ghar, is the flagship project initiative of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the social impact philanthropic arm of the Vedanta Group. The project aims to transform the lives of 7 crore children and 2 crore women across the 13.7 Lakh Anganwadi centres across India by providing and supporting holistic early childhood education, primary healthcare, nutritional requirements and skill development for women.

By strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem, Project Nand Ghar is bridging the gap between urban and rural India. It is functioning under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This includes infrastructural improvements such as attractive paint, sturdy flooring, solar power fittings, LED television, child friendly furniture and other fittings. There are currently 6232 Nand Ghars across 14 states in India that are impacting more than 2.5 lakh children and 1.8 lakh women.

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