Afsana's story
In June 2024, we had the pleasure of visiting villages across Uttar Pradesh where our Dr Didi programme is in action (in partnership with GroupM, Unilever, Cargill and Norad). The programme embraces a combination of mobile technology and interactive on-the-ground interventions to engage parents on best everyday nutrition and hygiene practices. It has an estimated reach of 3.3 million mothers across 3,000 villages in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
During one of these visits, we met Afsana, her husband and her four children. From the first interaction with Afsana and her family, we could see how close their bond is. The family always makes sure to find time to have their evening meal together. Afsana’s children will rush back home from playing just in time for their mealtime without Afsana going and calling them.
Since the Dr. Didi programme was introduced in their village, they adopted a new habit before mealtimes – washing their hands. Afsana installed a water tank with soap right outside her house so the whole family gets into the practice of washing their hands before they eat.
Afsana"Earlier we weren’t aware of washing hands with soap before the meal. From [the] Dr. Didi meetings, we have practically seen the experiment that handwashing with soap removes germs."
We also learnt to boil the drinking water. So, I boil the water for a day and drink it once it’s at normal temperature
Afsana explained.
The community meetings the programme runs also reinforces the importance of diet diversity and how to incorporate this in meals cooked in the home, avoiding “outside food”.
Asfana's husband Arif added;
My children were so used to outside food. We also didn’t stop them from eating outside food. This was our love for our children. After Dr. Didi, my wife and I have learnt outside food especially that junk food isn’t good for my children’s health. We have posted a paper in our house to remind me and my wife.
Afsana"We don’t want to deprive our children of their basic needs including healthy food. We are poor but we don’t want our children to grow poor. For that, my children need good food and the right education"
Her four-year-old son Haider smiled wide and clung to her as she said;
My son eats two mangoes at once! Above that, he eats banana also.
Afsana emphasised the need for continued support of the Dr. Didi programme stating;
Dr. Didi must continue. Many people like us can be informed and aware about health and hygiene.
There are so many families like Asfana's who have benefitted from the programme. You can learn more about the Dr. Didi programme here.
Partner with us
We never work alone. Below are some of the partners we work with - all sharing our vision of a world where every child has the right nutrition to reach their full potential.
