Thaddesa Mithram

Anganwadi at Gopalbhag

Mangalapuram Grama Panchayat

Thiruvananthapuram District

The “Anganwadi Centre” literally means a courtyard play centre located within the village or slum area, which is the focal point of delivery of services at community level to children below 6 years of age, pregnant woman, nursing or lactating mothers and adolescent girls. Anganwadi worker is in charge of anganwadi centre that is selected from the same community where the anganwadi centre is located. The impact of this scheme made a big difference in the health and development of the vulnerable groups in India.

Forty one Anganwadis are there in Mangalapuram Grama Panchayat. At present 32 anganwadis have own buildings. The new Building for Gopalbhag Anganwadi is constructed in 2015 at Thonnakkal by utilizing the Performance Grant of Rs.8,00,000. The building is 40.25 m2 which comprises of a classroom, a kitchen area, a store room and a toilet. Compound wall is constructed considering the safety and security of children.

Few months back, the anganwadi was functioning in a rented building. One third of the rent was provided by the Grama Panchayat. The rest of the amount they met from the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers. The Anganwadi Workers are now thankful to the Performance Grant which saved their money and obtained an own building to the Anganwadi.  

Over 600 people including children, adolescents, pregnant ladies and lactating mothers are getting the benefits of Gopalbhag Anganwadi. Mrs.Ambika Kumari, the Anganwadi teacher plays a key role in the development of Gopalbhag Anganwadi. She teaches various games, songs, stories and good habits which are useful for the development of the psychomotor skills of children. She used to showcase the paintings of children to motivate them and to explore their skills. Every month she convenes parents meetings and discusses the progress of the skills of children.

The teachers in the nearby Primary Schools admitted that the children coming from this Anganwadi shows high talents in all activities. So the people from all financial background are interested to send their children to this Anganwadi. Adolescent girls get Life Skills Education through this Anganwadi every week. It helps them to enhance their self esteem and self confidence.

Through the regular contact with the community, the Anganwadi workers ensure the nutrition and health of pregnant ladies and lactating mothers.