Phulwari Project (Rural Creches)

Undernutrition is perhaps the biggest problem that we face not only in Chhattisgarh, but all over India. It leads to increased chances of falling ill and sometimes dying due to it. Thus, in order to prevent these avoidable deaths, to make a dent into the poverty trap and to allow children to have optimal physical and mental growth, there is a pressing need to prevent, and treat undernutrition in the community. 

In most households, both parents go out to work during the day, leaving young children in the care of older children. Sometimes elderly parents who are too old to work are left to take care of the child. Even though there are many reasons for malnutrition in young children below 3, the most important cause in poor families is that there is no one available to feed the child several times during the day. Eating twice a day like adults do, is not enough for young children, who need to be fed at least five times during a day.  

JSS runs 93 Phulwari units with 1 caretaker usually from the same village for 10 children and 2 if there are more than 13 children. They are trained in basic child care, hygiene, nutrition, health and early child learning and play. The crèche is usually run in the home of the crèche worker. Cooking is done in another room or in the open air. The crèches function for 6-8 hours normally. The diet includes 60 gms of Sattu (50% wheat; 25% barley and 25% peanuts) and 150 grams (uncooked) of rice and dal cooked and served as Khitchdi. Albendazole is given 6 monthly for deworming and iron syrup. Monthly anthropometric measurements are done to track progress. The objectives are providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for children below 3 when their parents are working; demonstrating to mothers - the ability of older children to consume solid food; preventing malnutrition and improving nutritional status; helping older siblings who have dropped out of school for the care of the younger child, to return to school and allowing parents to go out for work and increase their income that accrues out of it.

Data on growth monitoring of children (weights taken monthly and heights at six monthly) attending the crèches is analysed using the WHO-Anthro software. Paired data compared over two years showed a significant reduction in wasting and undernutrition. Parents of children attending the phulwaris have noticed that children who were poor eaters have begun eating after seeing other children eat; realized that children can digest solid food (sattu, khitchdi) at a young age. Parents have noticed that their children do not fall ill so often, and are more energetic at home. Any ill child is treated promptly due to awareness spread by the crèche worker and the child is asked to be kept at home (or taken to hospital if very sick) till he or she is well. Since the mother misses work they ensure the child is brought to a JSS trained village health worker or hospital earlier for treatment. Phulwaris have enabled women to earn for the family without having to take their children along to the work-site, with the assurance that their child is being cared for in a safe environment, and is also being fed regularly during the day.