Aarogya Dhan: Nurturing the Health and Nutrition of Children on Construction Sites

December 26, 2024

At Rohan Builders, our focus is on fostering communities that flourish by addressing their unique needs and challenges. Through Aarogya Dhan, we have partnered with Tara Mobile Creches Pune to support the health, nutrition, and overall well-being of children living on construction sites. This initiative addresses the unique challenges faced by children from migrant families, providing them with the care they need to thrive.

Key Highlights of the Program

(The following highlights are from the year 2022-23. However, Aarogya Dhan is an ongoing initiative that continues to support and empower children and families living on construction sites.)

1. Targeted Beneficiaries
   • 1,913 Children up to 18 years received health, nutrition, and educational support.
   • 138 Pregnant Women and 327 Lactating Mothers benefited from nutritious meals, health check-ups, and awareness sessions.
2. Health and Nutrition
   • Monthly health check-ups identified and treated 890 cases of minor illnesses and referred 4 children with major illnesses for advanced care.
   • Special feeds were developed in-house to combat malnutrition, benefiting 210 children identified with Severe or Moderate Acute Malnourishment.
   • Growth monitoring of children under six ensured timely interventions for malnutrition.
3. Daycare Support
   • 12 full-time daycare centers provided children with a safe environment, three nutritious meals a day, and early childhood care and education (ECCE).
   • Centers also supported parents with resources, counseling, and guidance on better caregiving practices.

Innovative Approaches

• Engaging Parents: Extra efforts were made to empower parents through food demonstrations, group games, and participatory discussions. These activities encouraged parents, especially mothers, to prioritize their children’s nutrition and well-being despite their busy schedules.
• Specialized Nutrition: An in-house, low-cost, culturally acceptable feed was introduced to combat malnutrition effectively, improving children’s health in a sustainable manner.
• Collaborations with Public Services: Linkages with health services ensured children received age-appropriate vaccinations, and pregnant women were guided to register for institutional deliveries at government hospitals.

The Aarogya Dhan Impact

• Safer Spaces for Children: Full-time daycare centers minimized vulnerability and exploitation, providing a nurturing environment for children to grow and develop.
• Improved Nutrition: Regular meals and specialized diets significantly reduced malnutrition rates.
• Better Healthcare Access: Timely vaccinations and health interventions reduced morbidity and mortality among children.
• Holistic Development: The program’s multi-pronged approach, including education, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and healthcare, ensured children’s overall growth.

Aarogya Dhan is not just a program—it is a lifeline for hundreds of children and families, breaking the cycle of malnutrition and poor health while creating a foundation for a brighter future. By empowering parents and collaborating with stakeholders, this initiative ensures lasting change for communities living and working on construction sites.

Aarogya Dhan Annual Report 2022-23