Genesis of the Intervention with Children at the Focal Point
Jamnagar, Gujarat India CSR): The future of the World will eventually depend upon how we treat our Children today! This is much more than just a statement. It is the guiding vector for Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited as it marches on the path to not only assisting companies across the globe credibly navigate to a carbon neutral world but also positively touching the lives of the most vulnerable people in the rural communities where its clients operate. One of the most important stakeholders that the Company never loses its focus on are Children. The Social Interventions that it designs invariably have something that the children will always stand to benefit from. Be it Assistive education, training for communicative English, sensitization about rights and social welfare schemes, self-defence for girls, or vocational skill building for Children for that matter, Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited carefully weaves its programs based on thorough need gap analysis.
In its recent social endeavour in Gujarat, the Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited has collaborated with Association for Nutrition and Development Action (ANNADA), a well-known Indian organization that has been combating hunger faced by the most vulnerable populace i.e. the children. Nourish to Flourish is the National Flagship program of ANNADA.
Food mixes being distributed at the Aanganwadi Centre. Photo: India CSR
Intervention Touchpoints
The Intervention ‘Nourish to Flourish’ has been rolled out a few months ago in Jamnagar District of Gujarat in close collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme of State Government’s Women and Child Development Department and the District Administration. Under this Intervention, fortified nutrition is being regularly provided to over 250 beneficiaries i.e. expecting women, lactating mothers and children up to the age of 6 years. The fortified food mixes customised to the palate of local people are distributed to the beneficiaries through the Aanganwadi Centres. ANNADA is also enhancing the capacity of Aanganwadi Workers (AWW) and Aanganwadi Helpers (AWH) to guide the beneficiaries for appropriate intake of the nutritional food mix and about its safe storage.
Awareness about Mother and Child’s Health and Nutrition
One of the integral aspects of the Intervention is also to create awareness on health and its social determinants, mobilize the community towards local health planning, and provide access to the villagers for existing health services. Monthly health and nutrition awareness drives across community with specific target groups are carried out. This is coupled up with frequent home visits for encouraging best health, hygiene and nutrition practices at home. Under the aegis of the Intervention ‘Nourish to Flourish’ the implementation staff tracks the cases of mother and children who are undernourished. These beneficiaries are thereafter referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, Public Health Centres and Rural Hospitals for further assistance. The Intervention staff regularly follows up with the ASHA workers and ANMs about the health status of the beneficiaries and whether or not they are taking the prescribed treatment.
Special IEC material has been created in Gujarati for the beneficiaries and other key stakeholders to promote Good Health and Nutrition Practices. All activities under the Intervention are conducted as per COVID safety guidelines issued by the Government from time to time. There is a dedicated Community based Monitoring and Supervision Team that keeps a tab on crucial health indicators like Haemoglobin levels of expecting and lactating mothers through the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card in coordination with the frontline workers like the ANMs, ASHA and AWWs. It is ensured that pregnant women in the village are administered Tetanus Toxoid Immunization (TT1 and TT2) shots. Lactating mothers are taken through Breastfeeding Sessions to ensure that it is being done in a scientific manner. Awareness Sessions on Health and Nutrition and Safe and Adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are also held periodically.
The growth of child beneficiaries is also monitored by Team ANNADA as and when required. Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) are closely monitored and referred to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre and Primary Health Care Centres if required. The Intervention Staff of ANNADA is forever on its toes to support the beneficiaries.
CEO Puneet Katyal’s Point of View
Speaking with the Correspondent of India CSR, Puneet Katyal, Chief Executive Officer, Viviid Emissions Reductions Universal Private Limited said, “I beg to differ with those who call children the future of the Society. When you treat someone as the future, there are chances of procrastination setting in. I treat children both as the Present and Future of any Society.”
“Well-meaning people across the globe are working with all their might in the best interest of children with the underlying axiom that if children are nurtured well today, nothing can stop our tomorrow from being bright and promising. It is gratifying to see the expecting mothers being well attended to for their health and nutrition needs. This is what lays down a really strong foundation of the society that we eventually want to build. No effort in ensuring this can ever be small.”, further added.
“I am a strong advocate of Proactive Corporate Citizenship with a special emphasis on women and children. Let me draw an analogy here. We are working day in day out towards decarbonisation and assisting companies across the globe credibly navigate to a carbon neutral world. Aren’t we doing this for leaving a better future for our Children?, he said.
“Similarly, shouldn’t we all do whatever it takes to ensure health and well-being of our children today so that they are able to enjoy the beautiful tomorrow that we will leave for them. This again drives home our larger raison d’être of taking People and Planet together. Our Intervention Nourish to Flourish in collaboration with ANNADA is the right step at the right time in the right direction towards our contribution in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3 related to Zero Hunger and Good Health and Well-Being.”, he added.
(Copyright @ India CSR)
