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Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) or Pre-school centers run by the government are the first interface where the children receive free services for Supplementary Nutrition and Early Childhood Care &Education, especially in rural and remote areas where there are no private alternatives. These centers also provide post-natal care to mothers.
But one more fundamental aspect of these centers is to introduce these little children to the world of learning. To introduce them to alphabets and numbers. to figures and drawings, to cartoons and colors. But unfortunately the ground reality is far from ideal. These AWCs have only a handful of toys and learning tools. The kitchens are mostly small chambers lacking the essential facilities. The room settings are usually untidy and dull. On the contrary, I feel that the center should be colorful with paintings and toys everywhere. The kitchen should be ultra hygienic and the toilet should be child friendly. That is the idea of a Model AWC!
I am an IAS officer of 2015 batch posted as SDM in Dadenggre Sub Division of Meghalaya. It is a remote and rural locality devoid of most amenities. While touring the areas, I found that most of the AWCs have the same status and as per several studies conducted across India, that is one of the primary reasons for the ubiquitous children's absent-ism. Most of the supervisors feel that upgrading these AWCs will attract more children and mothers to these centers. And therefore, their transition to schools would be much easier.
Hence, we have selected one AWC which we will modernize by providing books, toys, learning tools, charts, drawing items, safe drinking water, hygienic kitchen and a child-friendly toilet. And if this gives good results, we will put forward to the government a proposal to modernize more centers on similar lines. The approximate cost of providing for all these would roughly be around 1,00,000 INR but if we get more donations we would take up other centers too. I make a humble appeal to everyone to contribute to our cause so that these little children from Dilsigre village can have a memorable and healthy pre-school experience!
But one more fundamental aspect of these centers is to introduce these little children to the world of learning. To introduce them to alphabets and numbers. to figures and drawings, to cartoons and colors. But unfortunately the ground reality is far from ideal. These AWCs have only a handful of toys and learning tools. The kitchens are mostly small chambers lacking the essential facilities. The room settings are usually untidy and dull. On the contrary, I feel that the center should be colorful with paintings and toys everywhere. The kitchen should be ultra hygienic and the toilet should be child friendly. That is the idea of a Model AWC!
I am an IAS officer of 2015 batch posted as SDM in Dadenggre Sub Division of Meghalaya. It is a remote and rural locality devoid of most amenities. While touring the areas, I found that most of the AWCs have the same status and as per several studies conducted across India, that is one of the primary reasons for the ubiquitous children's absent-ism. Most of the supervisors feel that upgrading these AWCs will attract more children and mothers to these centers. And therefore, their transition to schools would be much easier.
Hence, we have selected one AWC which we will modernize by providing books, toys, learning tools, charts, drawing items, safe drinking water, hygienic kitchen and a child-friendly toilet. And if this gives good results, we will put forward to the government a proposal to modernize more centers on similar lines. The approximate cost of providing for all these would roughly be around 1,00,000 INR but if we get more donations we would take up other centers too. I make a humble appeal to everyone to contribute to our cause so that these little children from Dilsigre village can have a memorable and healthy pre-school experience!
As you can see in the video, we have already upgraded one center with crowd funding and community participation. Hoping to upgrade many more.
