Success Stories
Lata Learned the Importance of IFA Tablets During Pregnancy
Lata, wife of Brijesh Saronia and a resident of Pohra village Baragaon block, was pregnant. She had not received any IFA tablets, which are essential during pregnancy.
Sashakt Jeevan conducted a health awareness meeting in the village, where Lata learned about the benefits of IFA tablets, and how important it is to consume IFA tablet during pregnancy.
While interacting in the session, Lata shared that she did not have IFA tablets, so with the support and coordination with Anganwadi didi Motirani, she was provided with the required tablets and was explained taking one tablet daily, the right time to take the tablet and what to do if she experienced any side effects.
As the result of this support and session, Lata started taking her IFA tablets regularly ensuring better health for herself and her baby.
Mothers in Pauhara Village Adopt Complementary Feeding After Awareness Session
Shivani, Ramdevi, Santoshi, and Ramdevi all residents of Pauhara village block Badagaon were breastfeeding their children exclusively, even after the children had crossed six months of age.
When the Sashakt Jeevan project organized a video session on proper nutrition, these mothers actively participated. Through the session, they learned that after six months of age, along with breast milk, children should also be given complementary foods to ensure proper growth and nutrition.
The Anganwadi worker also explained the importance of complementary feeding to them.
As the result of this awareness, these mothers started providing breast milk along with complementary foods to their children.
Pregnant Women in Aari Village Adopt Healthy Eating Habits
Babita, Archana, Deepa, and Shyam Kumari, all resident of Aari village, Badagaon block, were pregnant.
These women were often occupied with household chores and did not pay any attention to their diet during pregnancy. Under the Sashakt Jeevan Project, a community meeting was organized on the topic of care during pregnancy, where it was explained that pregnant women must pay special attention to their diet during this time. It was emphasized that if they don’t, both the mother and the baby could be at risk, and complications may arise during childbirth.
Motivated by the discussion, the women pledged to start eating “Tiranga meal” -a balanced, colorful diet- regularly and on time.
Follow-up visit confirmed that had all begun eating Tiranga as part of their routine. To further reinforce the message of maternal nutrition, a nutrition-themed competition was organized in the village, in which Babita, Archana, Deepa, and Ramkunwar enthusiastically participated.
This positive shift in dietary habits marked a significant step towards healthier pregnancies and improved maternal care in the village.
First-Time Mother Embraced Correct Infant Feeding Practices
Sonam wife of Paramsukh and a resident of village Gopalpura, Babina block, became a mother for the first time. Her child was just one month old, she had very little information about newborn care or the right diet for herself and her child.
During the meeting conducted under the Sashakt Jeevan Project, Sonam learned about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of child’s life. She also understood that after 6 months, complementary feeding should be started along with continued breastfeeding for child physical and mental development.
Motivated by this knowledge, Sonam decided exclusively breastfeeding until the six months of age and planned to start complementary feeding thereafter.
She also expressed her commitment to sharing this information with her neighbors and relatives, so that their children could also grow up healthy and well- nourished.
This transformation in Sonam’s understanding of infant nutrition marks a small but impactful step toward better maternal and child health in her village.
