Restoring Meenu’s health with trust and timely care
Meenu was just 1 year old and weighed only 7 kgs when she was identified as severely underweight. Her fragile condition needed urgent attention, and CRY immediately referred her to the Child Malnutrition Treatment Centre (CMTC). But for her family who was struggling with frequent migration for survival and her mother’s second pregnancy, treatment felt like an impossible choice.
The project team visited their home and gently explained the dangers of untreated malnutrition, which could lead to developmental delays and life-threatening infections. They reassured Meenu’s mother that the Child Malnutrition Treatment Centre would not only care for her little girl but also support her through her pregnancy with nutrition, medical supervision, and a safe place to rest. They reminded the family that the centre would ease their burden by providing cooked meals, rest facilities, and regular health check-ups, all free of cost.
With persistent follow-ups, trust slowly grew. Supported by ASHA workers, CRY arranged the logistics and ensured Meenu’s treatment began without delay. While she was cared for, frontline workers also extended their support to the expectant mother.
Days of dedicated care made all the difference as Meenu’s weight rose from 7 kg to 9 kg. Today, with her family’s renewed faith in CRY, she has moved from severe malnutrition to moderate underweight, steadily walking the path to complete recovery.
*Name changed to protect child’s identity
The Problem
CRY America Project Gram Swaraj Sangh, works to strengthen the healthcare system in Rapar block, Kutch district. However, low immunization rates, limited healthcare access, and prevalent superstitions negatively impact maternal and child health. There is limited awareness of essential healthcare services, with issues like low birth weight, high infant mortality, and child marriage exacerbating the situation. Gender inequality further undermines the education and well-being of girls.
The Solution
The project works to provide health and nutritional support to children, pregnant, and lactating mothers in the 23 hamlets of Rapar block. The key activities include counseling pregnant women on institutional deliveries, providing postnatal nutritional awareness, and linking them to government programs. The project also focuses on forming Women Collectives, Adolescent Collectives, and Girl Child Collectives to address issues such as infant mortality, low birth weight, child marriage, and girl education.
Impact Of The Project
112
Women from Mother’s Groups sensitized on pregnancy and child care
402
Adolescents attended sessions on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
364
Adolescent girls received Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets
158
Families adopted household water purification process
58
Infants aged 0-1 year fully immunized
107
Pregnant women received full vaccination
37
Institutional deliveries ensured
2025 Plans
- Ensure 114 mothers attend at least one Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHND) in 3 months
- Ensure 63 mothers receive at least 5 Pre-Natal Care (PNC) check-ups
- Facilitate 75 institutional deliveries in 59 government hospitals
- Conduct awareness sessions on anaemia and menstruation with 24 adolescent groups
- Counsel 10 identified young couples to avoid teenage pregnancies
- Ensure health check-up visits of children in 17 schools
- Share the list of 398 adolescent girls with village administration to monitor and prevent child marriage
- Conduct food demonstration programs for 23 adolescent girls
- Promote kitchen gardening practices and drumstick consumption in 50 households to combat malnutrition and support pregnancy care
- Conduct deworming sessions and ensure receipt of IFA tablets for 398 adolescent girls
- Conduct haemoglobin testing of 278 adolescent girls to track anaemia
- Encourage 32 new mothers to adopt exclusive breastfeeding practices until 6 months and initiate complementary feeding in the 7th month
- Monitor the health progress of 13 severely and moderately underweight children
2025 Total Budget
2024 Grant Disbursed $21,010
2025 Grant Approved $30,532
