Shishu Ghar Initiative Transforms Early Childhood Care in Rural Odisha

Odisha: To enhance early childhood development and support rural families struggling with childcare, Gram Vikas, with backing from the Azim Premji Foundation, launched the Shishu Ghar initiative in February 2024. The community-owned creche program now operates in 61 villages across Odisha’s Kandhamal, Gajapati, and Kalahandi districts, providing essential care, nutrition, and early learning to 421 children between the ages of 7 months and 3 years.

Recognizing that the first 1,000 days are crucial for a child’s physical and cognitive growth, the initiative aims to bridge gaps in childcare for families engaged in agriculture and daily wage labor. Many parents, unable to balance work and caregiving, often rely on informal arrangements, leaving children vulnerable to malnutrition and neglect. Shishu Ghar offers a structured, safe, and nurturing environment, ensuring proper supervision, health monitoring, and education.

In Balipadara village, Kandhamal district, the Village Development Committee (VDC) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) collaborated with Gram Vikas to establish a Shishu Ghar. “We realized how important it is for our children to get a strong start. Every household in our village supported the initiative,” said Prashant Mallik, President of the VDC.

The centers operate six days a week from 8 AM to 3 PM, where locally trained caregivers provide structured care, hygiene management, and nutrition. Children receive nutritious meals, including sattu, rice with dal, eggs, and millet-based dishes, sourced partially from kitchen gardens maintained at the centers. Regular health check-ups by ASHA and Anganwadi workers ensure that growth is monitored and early signs of malnutrition or illness are promptly addressed.

The impact is already visible. Rashmimala Mallik, a mother of four, shared how her youngest daughter now receives balanced meals and care at the Shishu Ghar, something she couldn’t always provide at home. Similarly, 10-year-old Swetalin Mallik, who once had to care for her sibling, can now attend school regularly.

Community involvement is a key pillar of the initiative. A Matru Committee, comprising SHG members, VDC representatives, and health workers, oversees daily operations, ensuring efficiency and accountability. The centers also promote hygiene education, teaching children handwashing and personal cleanliness from an early age.