Going above and beyond

Ambiga’s responsibilities at the Anganwadi include teaching, providing nutritious food, ensuring on-time vaccinations, and conducting health camps for the children. But, she does not stop there. 

Health camps conducted at the Anganwadi

Apart from conducting health camps, she conducts monthly meetings for parents. Here, she creates awareness about healthy food that must be consumed, hygiene habits that must be followed, and the importance of vaccinations. 

“Apart from informing the parents about the vaccines their children must be given, I explain the benefits of each. Some parents are under the impression that vaccines and health boosters like Vitamin A shots must be given only during the first year after the child is born. But I tell them about the importance of ensuring health boosters until later years,” says Ambiga. 

It does not end with only spreading awareness. Ambiga keeps a track of the children and their age to follow up with parents when health camps are undertaken. She conducts house visits or makes phone calls to the family and urges them to participate. Ambiga also keeps herself updated on central government schemes for women, especially pregnant women. 

Meenakshi, a resident of Indiranagar, Puducherry, and a clerk at the National Rural Health Mission has been visiting Ambiga’s Anganwadi since the birth of her 2-year-old daughter – Divya Shree. Being the sole breadwinner of the family, Meenakshi has a lot on her plate while juggling work and her family. 

However, the Anganwadi center has made childcare easier. 

To date, her family has not missed a single update regarding vaccinations, nutritious food, or any childcare services offered at the center thanks to Ambiga. 

She says, “I am unsure about how well other Anganwadi in my city are functioning, but I feel the Indiranagar center is the best. We receive timely calls from her to know about health camps being conducted as well as when nutritious food is being distributed. All the credits go to Ambiga who cares for all the children like they are her own. She also ensures we provide the best for our child.” 

During the pandemic, though the Anganwadis were closed owing to the lockdowns, Ambiga worked round the clock. She would make posters stating precautionary measures to hang around the block, speak to parents to check on the children, and spread awareness about the importance of vaccinations. 

Even a month ago, she convinced over 40 parents to get COVID-19 vaccinations and directed them to the nearest health centers. Ambiga’s efforts not only benefit the families visiting the Indiranagar Anganwadi but also the ones surrounding it. 

Ambiga says that the days she spends at the center are the happiest. Her aim is not to work at the center, but to care for children and their families like her own. She believes that her job is a service to the community. And, it truly is! 

Overall, all her initiatives and influences brought more success to the ICDS programs, ensured 100% enrollment at the center, and created lasting impacts on children's lives.