Anganwadi Centre No.115 Is Now A Model Centre

Anganwadi Centre No.115 Is Now A Model Centre

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Sushma Chandan, a Sevika at Anganwadi Centre (AWC) No.115 in Bhairo Kothi village in Bihar is an inspiration. Her perseverance and collaboration with Project Utthan, an Oxfam India-HDFC Bank  initiative, proved to be the turning point for her Centre. The renovation of the building, the provision of age-appropriate learning material, and improved hygiene and sanitation facilities has now made her Centre a model centre for early childhood education. A once struggling centre is now a success story, setting an example for other AWCs in the area.

Anganwadi Centre No.115 in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district was in shambles. The building was damaged and dilapidated, toilet and drinking water facilities were broken and inadequate, and there was barely any learning material for children. Sushma had been the Sevika at this Centre since 2009. There was no dedicated building back then and she ran the centre from the village community hall. A new building came up only after government orders were issued in 2013. However, over the next few years the drinking water source and toilets became became defunct, the building was damaged by vandals, resulting in decrease in enrolment and attendance.

Sushma regularly updated the ICDS officials about the deteriorating condition of the AWC but no action was taken. Finally in 2022, Sushma learned about Oxfam India's interventions from Renu Devi, another Sevika at the AWC in Simara village; the latter shared her experience of Project Utthan and the renovations in 2021. Sushma approached Oxfam India and put forth the request for her Centre’s renovation. Our team assessed the need for renovation and repairs of Anganwadi Centre No.115. After receiving consent from the ICDS department to renovate and repair and the go ahead from the Village Development Committee, the work at the Centre began.

The floor was fitted with new tiles, new doors were fixed, old windows were refurbished, toilets were repaired, hand pump with a soak pit was installed, and a fresh coat of paint was applied. In addition, learning material, drinking water jars, and seating facilities were provided. The Centre is now safe, more attractive and appealing for children.

Project Utthan has had a significant impact on Anganwadi Centre No.115. Attendance has increased, and children now spend more time in the Centre; they are showing keen interest in learning with the new pictorial paintings and age-appropriate toys. Sushma is proud of her new renovated AWC. In fact, Sushma's presentations about the renovated AWC at various ICDS platforms have successfully drawn the attention of officials to the potential of replicating this model in other AWCs.

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