Workshop on nutrition and child development

As you know, we now have 25 new balwadis in the Andheri (East) area that we have opened in partnership with the NGO Saprem. To make sure that these balwadis are in harmony and accomplish certain goals, we organised a workshop with the teachers of the balwadis and members of the self-help groups (SHGs) that provide food to the children. As you can see from this poster, the idea behind the workshop was to get everyone on the same page with regard to how important nutrition is to a child's development.

The SHGs are mostly from the same communities where the balwadis are, making the child's development, in a way, a community exercise. Which is why, it is essential that everyone works together.

The workshop started off, typically, by lighting a lamp, followed by introductions by members of the Mumbai Smiles team.

Various members of women's organisation MAVIM (Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal) also discussed key issues with gathering:

• What constitutes nutritious food, what kind of diet the children should follow.
• The deliverables for the SHGs -- what food they will cater, how it will be packed and transported, when it is to be delievered, etc.
• Mutual monitoring between the balwadi teachers and the SHGs -- each group will watch over the other's work to ensure good quality education and nutrition. 
• The need for everyone to take responsibility for their work and services.

We trust that workshops like this -- which will be a regular part of our process -- help people understand their goals, and each other, better. Which will ultimately benefit our kids.