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Enhancing Early Childhood Development, Health Support, and Girls’ Education (Odisha)

During the reporting period, Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB) implemented several key initiatives designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its programmes, aligned with the organisation’s renewed brand objectives. These initiatives spanned from early childhood development through innovative use of home-based learning tools, to health interventions for sickle cell anaemia patients, and promoting girls’ education in marginalised communities. Each of these efforts exemplified BRB’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues through community engagement, education, and strategic collaborations.

Early Childhood Development through Scribbling Boards (B2B Extension Project)

In the Kandhamal district of Odisha, BRB launched an innovative intervention to enhance early childhood education by providing scribbling boards to pre-school children. The aim of this initiative was to support the development of fine motor skills, a critical component of early learning. The approach was twofold: first, equipping children with the tools necessary for at-home learning, and second, fostering parental engagement to encourage consistent educational activities at home.

BRB collaborated closely with Anganwadi workers and mothers’ committees to provide on-site support and orientation, ensuring that parents understood their role in their child’s early education. The involvement of parents in encouraging children to use scribbling boards at home strengthened the overall learning process, and as a result, both children and parents became more engaged in early childhood care and education activities.

What Success Looked Like: Increased Parental Engagement and Child Development

The success of the scribbling board initiative is demonstrated by its widespread adoption and impact on early learning outcomes. A total of 350 children (182 boys and 268 girls) across 20 project villages in Khajuripada block were provided with scribbling boards. The children not only improved their fine motor skills but also became more engaged in learning activities, with the active encouragement of their parents. This initiative has had a positive ripple effect, strengthening the community’s overall commitment to early education. Parents, who previously viewed education as primarily the responsibility of the school system, now actively participate in their children’s learning journey.

Access to Financial Support and Improved Awareness

This health intervention’s success is evident in the tangible benefits it provided to affected families. By linking sickle cell anaemia patients with financial assistance, BRB helped alleviate the economic burden on families struggling with the disease. The home-based counselling sessions also led to a heightened awareness of government programmes and entitlements, ensuring that these families could access the support they were eligible for. For the patients, the ₹500 per month financial assistance has become a vital resource for managing their health and improving their quality of life.

Promoting Girls’ Education in Koraput District

In the remote district of Koraput, Odisha, BRB worked tirelessly to address the issue of irregular school attendance among girls. This effort, part of the Pure Play Project, focused on raising awareness within the community about the importance of girls’ education and gender parity. Through regular visits to villages and direct engagement with parents and children, BRB highlighted the long-term benefits of education for girls, breaking down cultural and social barriers that often prevent girls from continuing their schooling.

BRB collaborated with the School and Mass Education Department and the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department to ensure effective convergence of resources and support for girls’ education. Stakeholders provided regular counselling to both parents and children, reinforcing the message that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and improving future prospects.

Role Models and Community Change

The success of BRB’s intervention in Koraput is reflected in the stories of girls who have become regular school attendees after being irregular in their attendance. Four girls, once at risk of dropping out, are now attending school regularly. Their perseverance has turned them into role models within their community, demonstrating the power of education in transforming lives. These girls have become symbols of hope for other children, and their regular attendance has sparked a broader shift in community attitudes towards girls’ education.

Parents in the community are increasingly recognising the value of sending their daughters to school, leading to improved enrolment and attendance rates. The partnership with local departments has ensured sustained support for these efforts, further embedding the importance of education in the community’s social fabric.

Strategic Partnership for Health Support: Sickle Cell Anaemia in Boudh District

In Kantamal block of Boudh district, BRB formed a collaboration with the Health Department under the Give India – Phone Pay Project to provide financial assistance to sickle cell anaemia patients. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about sickle cell anaemia, improve patient care, and link affected individuals to existing social security schemes.

Through a series of home visits, BRB volunteers conducted counselling sessions with patients and their families, discussing the implications of the disease and the available government support schemes. By fostering greater awareness of government programmes, BRB successfully linked 86 beneficiaries (63 adults and 23 children) to social security schemes, with 33 patients (22 adults and 11 children) already receiving financial assistance of ₹500 per month.

Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence of Success

Scribbling Board Initiative: Provided 350 scribbling boards to children (182 boys and 268 girls) across 20 project villages, enhancing early childhood learning and fine motor skill development.
Sickle Cell Anaemia Support: Linked 86 beneficiaries (63 adults and 23 children) to social security schemes, with 33 patients already receiving ₹500 per month in financial assistance.
Girls’ Education in Koraput: Successfully motivated four irregular school-going girls to attend regularly, who have since become role models for the community.

Impact on Renewed Brand Objectives

These initiatives reflect Bal Raksha Bharat’s renewed focus on empowering vulnerable communities through education, health, and family engagement. By integrating innovative strategies such as at-home learning tools, health collaborations, and community-based education campaigns, BRB has strengthened its brand as a champion of child welfare and social equity. The success of these programmes reinforces BRB’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development for children and families across India.

The positive outcomes in each project highlight BRB’s ability to effectively implement community-driven solutions that not only address immediate needs but also create long-term change. By engaging parents, leveraging government partnerships, and ensuring that children, particularly girls, have access to education and health support, BRB continues to build trust and credibility in the communities it serves.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Empowerment

Bal Raksha Bharat’s strategic initiatives in early childhood education, health support, and girls’ education have led to meaningful change in the lives of children and families across Odisha. Through innovative approaches such as the use of scribbling boards, health counselling, and community awareness campaigns, BRB has empowered individuals to take charge of their futures. The success of these initiatives underscores the organisation’s dedication to creating lasting, positive impacts in the lives of the most vulnerable, aligned with its broader mission of child protection and empowerment.