The Partnership
Since 2020, The Human Safety Net and Pratham have joined forces through the For Families programme. This collaboration has significantly empowered parents, especially mothers, to play a more active role in their children's development. It exemplifies the power of partnerships in achieving common goals and making a lasting impact on communities.
Through the three-year Scale-Up programme, Pratham is implementing an extensive community-based programme that ensures age-appropriate development in children from zero to three years of age. Simultaneously, Pratham is demonstrating that its model can be adopted by the Maharashtra government, potentially benefiting a larger population.
How the Programme Works?
The programme begins by establishing mothers' groups within communities. These groups consist of three to five mothers of children aged zero to three years, grouped by neighbourhood in the catchment area of the Anganwadi centre. Anganwadi is a type of rural childcare centre in India, started by the Indian government in the 1970s to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
Initially, Pratham facilitates regular meetings with the mothers' groups, introducing them to simple activities and addressing broader issues of childcare, health, and nutrition using digital content, like videos. These are discussed both within the group and at home with their children. Eventually, the Anganwadi system is strengthened to take the initiative in the first year of this three-year programme.
“Our goal is to have the government adopt and scale our programs. This involves extensive community mobilization and forming partnerships with local, state, and central governments. Maintaining these relationships has been challenging due to shifting government priorities. However, our 20+ years of experience have taught us the importance of fostering and nurturing local partnerships to ensure continuity and effectiveness, even amidst policy changes”, says Sveka Kamala, Senior Manager at Pratham.
Pratham implements the programme directly in five blocks across four districts in Maharashtra, demonstrating to government supervisors the positive results and benefits to Anganwadi centres. In 2023 alone, Pratham's programme reached 37,483 mothers and 39,266 children.
Moving Forward to Institutional Deployment
Looking ahead, Pratham plans to further focus on its programme, where frontline staff such as Anganwadi workers and supervisors will engage with mothers' groups to understand the model first-hand. After experiencing the programme, these stakeholders will adapt the concept in their respective areas. Pratham personnel will continue to provide assistance by conducting training sessions for monitoring officials, Anganwadi teachers, and other stakeholders.
With the scale-up model firmly in place, Pratham aspires to expand its activities across Indian states and potentially other parts of the world, increasing the programme's reach and enriching the lives of mothers and their children.
Pratham's early childhood development programme highlights the importance of the Early Years and showcases the impact of collaborative efforts. By empowering mothers and engaging community leaders, Pratham is setting the stage for a brighter future for countless children, ensuring they reach their full developmental potential. As the programme scales up, its success serves as a testament to the transformative power of targeted, community-based interventions.
