In Fidurihal hamlet of Kotra block in South Rajasthan, nearly 20 children sit in a circle in a modest room. The simple furnishings are brightened by teaching aids and colorful drawings on the walls—and even more by the songs and poems of children aged around 2 to 6 years.
Initially shy, there is no stopping them once they get going. Scarcely has one child finished a song when another stands up, often without any prompting, to have his or her turn. One child demonstrated her command of geometry by pointing out how everything from the sun and the moon to her grandpa’s coins and grandma’s glasses is round. Another, introducing himself as “Mr. Tomato,” claimed to be a champion of nutrition. The songs might have continued much longer, but finally the caretaker and teacher, Lalita—who mixes easily with the children—politely brought the session to a close with a group song in which everyone could participate.
Some parents had also gathered, drawn by the music and laughter. The smiles on their faces as they watched the children sing brightened the scene even further.
Khetu, who sends her two children to this day care center every day, appeared particularly happy with the arrangement. “I used to worry about them when I went to work in the fields, but now in the balwadi (care center for children) they are safe. Besides, they learn so much here. At home they would only create a mess. They learn good habits such as getting up on time and washing their hands before eating.”
The fact that children are cared for here for six hours—generally from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and sometimes a little longer—is a great relief for parents when both of them go to work. Usually, one parent returns by the time the child has to leave the balwadi.
For Kanta, whose daughter attends the balwadi regularly, the assurance that her child will be properly fed is also a major relief. As Lalita explains, during their six-hour stay, the children are fed three times. In the morning they receive puffed rice, followed by a rice-and-pulse preparation such as khichri or daliya porridge. Depending on seasonal availability, green leafy vegetables are added during cooking. Before leaving, they are given another serving of puffed rice.
Shivani, another mother present, says that children here learn to stay clean and to eat and rest at the right time. Lalita adds that before leaving, the children are asked to sleep for some time. Earlier in the day, they exercise, play various games, and engage in learning activities.
Bhanwarlal, a father, says that because of this pre-school education, children are much better prepared for school compared to those who do not attend balwadis or anganwadis.
This balwadi is just one of nearly 152 being operated today by the voluntary organization Seva Mandir (SM) in South Rajasthan. As Renu Tiwari, who coordinates this program for SM, explains, while government-run anganwadis providing child and maternal care and nutrition are spread widely, there are several remote hamlets and settlements across various panchayats from which small children cannot reach the anganwadi due to distance. To serve such communities, the locations of balwadis have been carefully planned.
Recent calculations indicate that it costs about Rs. 900 a year to support one child in a balwadi, while on average only about Rs. 350 per child is collected annually from local families. Hence, over 50 percent of the cost must be raised from other sources, apart from coordination expenses. To ensure continuity, longer-term financial support is needed, which is not always available, requiring SM to make sustained efforts to keep the centers running. Despite their limited capacity to contribute in cash, members of local communities help by offering voluntary labor or contributing seasonal vegetables or cooking fuel.
By combining nutrition, pre-school education, and child care for working parents, these balwadis fulfill an important need in remote rural settlements, with special emphasis on serving weaker sections.
A somewhat different crèche is now being started for younger children in the age group of 7 months to 3 years. Twelve such crèches have already been launched, with many more scheduled in the coming months.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include A Day in 2071, Navjeevan, Protecting Earth for Children, and When the Two Streams Met
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