The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 5, 2025
Rural families in Odisha are witnessing a transformative change in early childhood care, thanks to ShishuGhar, a community-led creche initiative launched by Gram Vikas with support from the Azim Premji Foundation in February 2024. Operating across 61 villages in Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Kalahandi districts, the program provides structured childcare, nutrition, and early learning support to 421 children aged 7 months to 3 years.
The first 1,000 days of life are crucial for a child’s physical and cognitive growth, but many rural parents, particularly those engaged in agriculture and daily wage labor, struggle to provide consistent care. Informal caregiving, often by older siblings, impacts both infant well-being and the education of school-going children. ShishuGhar bridges this gap by offering a safe, nurturing environment where trained caregivers ensure proper nutrition, hygiene, and early stimulation activities.
In Balipadara village, Kandhamal district, the Village Development Committee (VDC) and local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) collaborated to establish a ShishuGhar. “We realized how important it is for our children to get a strong start. Every household in our village supported the initiative,” says Prashant Mallik, President of the VDC.
The centers operate six days a week, from 8 AM to 3 PM, with caregivers recruited from within the villages. The children receive nutritious meals, including sattu, rice with dal, eggs, and millet-based dishes, sourced partly from on-site kitchen gardens. Regular health check-ups, conducted by ASHA and Anganwadi workers, help track growth and detect malnutrition or illness at an early stage.
Parents have already noticed a positive impact. Rashmimala Mallik, a mother of four, shared, “My youngest daughter now gets balanced meals and care at ShishuGhar, something I couldn’t always provide at home.” Similarly, Swetalin Mallik, a 10-year-old girl, can now attend school regularly instead of looking after her younger sibling.
A key element of ShishuGhar is community ownership and oversight. The Matru Committee, consisting of SHG members, VDC representatives, and health workers, ensures that the centers function effectively. Additionally, the initiative promotes hygiene education, encouraging handwashing and personal cleanliness among young children.
With continued collaboration between communities, local governance, and development organizations, ShishuGhar is laying the foundation for a healthier and brighter future for rural children in Odisha.
