LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND! - EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Huge numbers of poverty-stricken migrant populations move to cities for income earning opportunities and the needs of their children are neglected. The construction sector in India is one of the largest employers of labour in the country, and about 10% of its workforce constitute women.
Absence of a social network to look after children, while both parents are at work creates a huge divide in the growth, health and education of children of construction workers.
Absence of appropriate nutrition in the early years impacts the growth, well-being and brain development of the child. In 2015, early childhood development was included in the Sustainable Development Goals, reaffirming its growing status in the global development agenda
WHAT SAMPARK DOES
Focusing on early childhood care, and prevention of nutrient deficiencies have long-term and widespread benefits for individuals and societies. Sampark runs 26 creches – day care centers in Bangalore, for children of construction workers in the age group of above 6 months and under 14 years. Creches offer a safe environment and ensure cognitive, social and emotional development of a child. They receive nutritional and immunization support, and a stimulating environment to learn with fun through a non-formal education programme. Since 2007, Sampark has established about 50 creches in various labour colonies in Bangalore and has reached out to more than 55,000 children of construction workers
Assessment of nutritional status of children using new WHO child growth standards is recognized as an important tool. The growth of children is regularly monitored and recorded in separate growth charts for boys and girls as per the new WHO child growth standards. Height and Weight of children are monitored and recorded monthly.
NUTRITION & GROWTH-MONITORING
Teachers identify children who are malnourished and categorize them as undernourished and severely undernourished. Sampark’s focus is to provide well-balanced nutrition of 600-800 calories per day to a child at the creche excluding dinner which they eat at home. Undernourished children are given a special diet to ensure growth and well-being.
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