Recognizing that 90% of the brain development happens before the child turns five, UN has prioritized Early Childhood Education (ECE) as a Sustainable Development Goal. Children from poor families and in rural areas are the least likely to have access to quality ECE programs. In rural India, the govt. sponsored Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programs focus on child and mother via Anganwadi centers, which provide nutrition and immunizations for children 6 mo-6 yr old and serve as preschool and day care for 2-6 yr olds. They also serve as referral centers for basic health needs for adolescent girls and mothers. Govt. provides the midday meal, and take-home rations for kids needing supplemental nutrition. The staff is required to track the children’s growth parameters to ensure adequate nutrition for the malnourished. While govt. funds cover the cost of food and other services, many of these Anganwadis are inadequately equipped to provide quality early education and other basic needs.

Ekam Indianapolis has, since its inception five years ago, strived to ensure that these basic needs are addressed to enable quality ECE for those most in need by partnering with nonprofit organizations in Tamil Nadu to identify Anganwadis in less developed areas of Madurai and Salem, and prioritize their essential unmet needs. Each Anganwadi serves 15-30 kids in the day-center, 80-160 other kids for healthcare/nutrition, and 10-30 mothers. During previous visits by Indianapolis chapter members, we have seen first-hand that they often lack basic facilities like play and learning materials, eg, toys, picture charts & books, functioning weighing scales for growth monitoring, and floor mats. We have also seen the impact of our previous support for these needs and know that every item we sponsor through our donations has and will make a huge difference. We continue to believe this intervention early in their lives that provides a caring and mentally stimulating environment along with adequate nutrition and healthcare will result in a positive ripple effect during later stages of these children’s lives.

In 2023 our support for 132 Anganwadis in Madurai and Salem districts benefited around 3000 kids. In 2024 we are hoping to improve the facilities in 400 centers (about 10% of the total number) in Yercaud and Pethanakayanpalayam, both in Salem, and in Melur and Thirumangalam, both in Madurai. We have a list of needs from many of these centers and expect it will cost $8000, averaging a dollar per child or $20 per Anganwadi. Given the durability of the items that we are donating, many more children will benefit in years to come.

Your generous donation of $50 will fund 3 weighing scales, $100 will fund toys and charts for 5 centers or cover special needs of an Anganwadi in Yercaud, a cold place that requires unique investments to help the kids stay warm.
Goal Amount: $8000