Anganvadi at Thalathope in Karumkulam Grama Panchayat (Thiruvananthapuram District)

Karumkulam panchayat, located in Athiyannor block in Neyyatinkara taluk, is a densely-populated area. More than 33,000 people live in only 1.26 square miles of area in the panchayat. Ninety-per cent of people living in the area belong to the fishermen community. Eighteen wards are there in the Panchayat. 29 Anganwadis spread over the different wards of the Panchayat.

Thalathope Thekkekkara Anganwadi is situated in Kochuthura. The building is constructed by using the Performance Grant of 2013-14. The work completed and started functioning on 2015 July 7. The Anganwadi was in a rented building for several years with a rent of Rs.750. Seventy five percentage of the rent was paid from the honorarium of teachers and the balance amount they met from the Plan Fund of the Panchayat. After several years of struggle, they got the new building with a Children’s Park.

In 2013-14, the Grama Panchayat formulated a project for the construction of stadium. But due to some political reasons, they dropped the project and in 2014-15 they formulated a project for the construction of an Anganwadi building at Thalathope Thekkekkara near Kochuthura, using the performance Grant of Rs.767146. Three cents of land for the Anganwadi is donated by the Church. The building consists of a hall, kitchen, store room, a common toilet and a baby friendly toilet.

Community participation was evident during the implementation of the project. The ward member and the local people were very supportive at the time of construction and after the completion of the work, one of the stakeholders did art works in the building. It was done with a purpose to attract children and give them a pleasant atmosphere. Another person in the Panchayat provided uniforms to children. 

As part of the project, the Grama Panchayat set up a Children’s Park by fitting toys in the Play Ground. 23 children from fisherman families regularly attend and utilise the services of the Anganwadi. Over 1000 beneficiaries with different age groups are utilising the various benefits from Anganwadi.

Teenage Club, Vayojana Club are also functioning under this Anganwadi with the help of the nurse in the nearby Public Health Centre. Parents Meeting and Mothers Meeting are also conducted every month.    

Mrs.Seetha, the Anganwadi Teacher said that community participation is a key factor for the development of an institution.