Born Learning Campaign to impact 50,000 children.

A. Title of the Project:  “Born Learning Programme: Holistic Nutrition and Early Learning Intervention for 0-6 years children”

B. Project Reference Number: Name of the Donor/Grant ID #2012 August 001 QWARIDS

C. Name of the Partner NGO; Quarry Workers And Rural Integrated Development Society [QWARIDS]

 Project Location: 5 quarry villages (ELCs) of Bangalore region in Karnataka, India

• Kogilu, Bellahalli, Hegdenagar, Hosur Bonde, and Agrahara

 Focus Group: Totally 159 quarry children Quarry children 0-6 years

4.  Process of Implementation:

1. Nodal Capacity building Training on production of Nutrition Supplement: Prior to the approval of the project, United Way facilitated deputation of staff for enhancing capacities of project staff on balanced nutrition for children between 0-6 years. Accordingly, staff attended the 3 days of nodal work shop on Production of Nutrition supplement by Pristine Organic Pvt. Ltd, for 03 days at their central office on 10-08-2012. Mr. Radha Krishna, Ms. Bhavani, Ms. Shoba and Ms. Jamela took part actively in the workshop and availed certificates as well. The workshop was facilitated by Dr. K.C. Raghu and Ms. Akshatha from Pristine Organic Pvt. Ltd Company.

1. Training programme for ELC teachers and other staff: On 28/8/2012 a seminar was organized for all ELC teachers, assistant teachers, social workers and health workers on the preparation of Nutrition supplements for ELC children. Totally 45 ELC teachers, assistant teachers, social workers, health workers and NFE teachers participated and enhanced their knowledge and information about importance of Nutrition supplements for children and themselves.  

1. Field level Training for ELC teachers: Beside training key staff, Ms. Akshatha visited Hegdenagar Center and gave hands on training for all the Health workers and 05 ELC Teachers, Assistant Teachers and Health workers. All the staff was given training in the review meeting by the social workers who attended the Pristine Workshop and based on the Nutrients present in the food, Nutrients and classification of Nutrition (Macro and Micro Nutrition’s) formulated the Multigrain food supplement based Recommended Dietary chart.

1. Identification of Early Learning Centers: Visits were made to quarry villages and UWBe proposed to implement this project in Agrahara, Kogilu bonde, Hedgenagar, Bellahalli and Hosur Bonde. The reason for the selection of these quarry villages was the fact that most of the children there were mal nourished, with lower growth, and no sufficient growth in terms of height and weight. Secondly, there was good cooperation and support from community people and other stakeholders.

1. Assessment of 159 vulnerable children: Prior to introducing the Born Learning programme, key staff conducted assessment of all children from 5 centers in order to capture their progress and grades during and after the project implementation.

1. Launching of the Programme: On August 15th, all quarry children and parents from 5 ELC centers participated actively in the official launch of the project at Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park, Bangalore.

1. Re-organizing staff and weekly nutrient Menu in the target 5 Centers: In consultation with United Way Bengaluru and Ms. Akshatha from Pristine Organic Pvt. Ltd, the teachers were guided to adopt the new food menu for children at ELC centers. Out of 1060 kilo calories for child, it was ensured that every child would get 365 kilo calories from our centers and 695 kilo calories from their homes.

The programme took off very well in 5 Early Learning Centers benefiting 140 children aged between 0-6 years.

Changes seen or to be seen through Born Learning Intervention.

After the intervention of ‘Born Learning’ programme, we could conduct a reassessment of present status of 159 children at 5 ELC and drawn a chart for future development. During this reporting quarter, totally 10 3^rd graded children have made progress to 1^st and their learning capacity as well has enhanced such as 63 children were in Red grade i.e. 3^rd grade, 66 children Orange i.e. 2^nd grade and 129 children are in 1^st grade; while 63 children progressed in Gross motor skill, fine motor skill and sensory skill, 66 children developed cognitive skills, and other 66 children developed in language skills, 30 children developed social and emotion fields and 30 more children developed their creativities.

D. Volunteering Opportunities

No volunteer based activities were organized in the last quarter

If yes, give details

The probable volunteering opportunities in the coming quarter/s?

1. Shramadhan day at ELC centers to provide outdoor facilities by cleaning and equipping the environment
2. Volunteering opportunities to prepare CREATIVE web and Education play materials using locally available waste materials to serve ELC centers.

Case Studies;

Name of the Child                  : Udaya Prabhakar (in the pink shirt)

Age:                                        : 4+  

Place                : Hegdenagar Born Learning Centre

Problem                                   : Malnourished child

Mother’s name - Savitha

Father’s occupation - Daily wages

Master Udaya Prabhakar is 4+ years old and joined our ELC at Hegdenagar after AN/PN mothers meeting. At the beginning, the ELC teacher found him not able to move around, mingle with other children, and unable to perform simple activities like jumping, crossing, frog jump, standing, etc. hence, did not show any interest in learning.

The ELC teacher called Mrs. Savitha, the mother of the child and enquired about the low growth and general weakeness of the child. The mother replied that it was due to insufficient nourishment. Our project staff counselled the mother to give additional supplements to the boy besides what is provided at the ELC.

The tangible results noticed are that from the second month, Udaya showed great improvement. He gained 1 ½ kg and started to take part in outdoor activities. He has now become an active boy at the center. It is heartening to bring to attention that he was found with malnourishment and now through the ‘Born Learning’ intervention his nutritional needs have improved. He has gone from a IIIrd grade to Ist grade at the end of the third month.  

Name of the Child                 : Saniya

Age                                         : 4+ 

Place                         : Kogilubande Born Learning Centre 

Problem                                  : Malnourished

Saniya is the daughter of Mrs. Shahin and Mr. Mustafa who work as clay idol-makers at Kogilu bonde. When the child was admitted to the center at Kogilu bonde, she was always found sitting in a corner without much movement and unable to speak properly as per her age.

The ELC teacher consulted the doctor and found that she was normal but suffering from acute malnourishment. Thereafter, the ELC teacher summoned the parents and counseled them on the ill-effects of malnourishment. The parents were also advised to give additional attention to the child when she is eating and consider changing the menu. Saniya’s parents are happy that the ELC provided balanced nutrition supplements and decided to give extra nutritional food to her.

As a result, Saniya started to walk around in center and now takes active part in outdoor and indoor activities of the ELC at Kogilu bonde. There has been an improvement in her weight. The parents reported that she was always falling sick, but since three months the frequency of falling ill has come down to 1 or 2 times. Her parents are grateful to United Way Bengaluru, who is reaching out to kids like Saniya under their ‘Born Learning’ campaign.

F. Gaps/ Challenges if any:

• Parents, AN/PN mothers and community people have acknowledged the new menu and its impact and importance. The greater challenge will be to ensure that additional nutrition supplements are provided at home
• Need for adopting the same programme in other ELCs
• Children need outdoor activities as much as the indoor activities. Wherever there is sufficient space, we propose to provide few outdoor sport equipment such as see-saw, swings, etc.

G. Financial Aspects  

• The Budget was utilized as per approved line items and no changes were made.
• All the money was spent.

H. Overall Assessment and Conclusion

The Born Learning Intervention programme has taken off very well and as many as 159 vulnerable quarry children are benefiting and making progress at the ELCs. Parents are to adopt the same methods at home with the existing menu and system in order to integrate and ensure holistic development of the children. It was very evident that those well nourished children were also able to progress in the learning process. However, all children do not respond to or progress in the same way, yet, it has great impact on their learning process at the ELCs. In the second quarter, we will focus more on health monitoring and referrals charts for children along with 5 key development aspects of ELC children. We also hope to make replicable model in other ELCs as well.

Links:

• http://www.uwbengaluru.org/education
• http://www.uwbengaluru.org/blog/jjonathan/11/09/2012

• Report for Born Learning (DOC)
• Report for Born Learning (DOC)