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What?

Vera's SEWA supported childcare center began in 1993 and presently cares for 30 children from 0-6 years of age. The center is managed by co-operatives of SEWA members. The center benefits the children and community with its following goals:

1. Children are provided with 3 nutritious meals a day and will also be taught about proper nutrition and diet.
2. Teachers of the childcare center hold regular meetings with the mothers and discuss their child’s development. Mothers are also given training on establishing a healthy learning environment at home.
3. Mother and family members are trained on primary healthcare and nutrition for their children.
4. Children are regularly weighed and records of their growth are properly maintained.
5. Infants enrolled in the Center are given milk.
6. The childcare centers are also provide child immunizations, antenatal and postnatal care. SEWA works closely with the government health programs to provide these services.
7. In the event of a serious illness, children will be taken to a nearby clinic by the childcare center staff. 8. Children in the centers participate in pre-primary creative activities like drawing, painting and craftwork.
9. The celebration of major festivals are organized at the childcare centers to teach and immerse children in cultural activities at a young age.
10. Children will also attend annual field trips to neighboring towns and fairs for cultural and educational immersion.

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Why?

When a community cannot provide childcare for its children, women cannot attain full employment and self-reliance. Therefore, Seva DC’s Vera Village childcare project is critical to both a child’s physical and intellectual development as well as a mother’s opportunity to provide for her family.

Working mothers cannot take their children to their workplaces without jeopardizing their own work efficiency and their children’s safety. The Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) believes that women’s struggle to emerge out of poverty through the quest for work and income security, must be supported by quality childcare. SEWA’s childcare program emerged in mid 1970 from the needs expressed by its members.

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How?

Citizen Effect’s partner, the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), believes a woman’s struggle to escape poverty through work and income security must be supported by quality childcare. Since the mid-1970s, SEWA has supported working mothers by providing quality childcare to local communities.

Seva DC has partnered with SEWA members in Vera village to improve the quality of their childcare center, giving children a better education and increased nutrition, while allowing mothers the opportunity to work and gain a better income to improve their families' future.

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History of Vera Village

The village is at the distance of 17 km from Anand. The majority of the village community are tobacco agriculture workers. As a result, the major issue in this village is the occupational health hazards prevailing among the poor tobacco workers and their children, and the lack of child care facilities for the children of these workers.

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Community Population: 1,125

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Main Occupations

Agriculture and tobacco workers, animal husbandry

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