Pulluvila anganwadi in Thiruvananthapuram gets own building

After years of functioning from rented premises, the anganwadi in the Pulluvila ward of the Karumkulam grama panchayat is getting a permanent building. The newly constructed building will be inaugurated on Friday.

The facility is expected to provide a significant boost to early childhood care and education in the area.

The anganwadi is currently operating from a small, rented building attached to a private residence. A cramped hall serves as the classroom, while the kitchen is shared with the members of the landowner’s family.

The anganwadi has been functioning from this building for the past six months; prior to that it operated from another facility, which was also in a poor condition, for nearly two years.

Former panchayat member Rethin Antony says the ward’s high population density coupled with lack of suitable government-owned land and restrictions on construction on coastal land had prevented the establishment of a permanent anganwadi despite long-standing demand. The project got further delayed due to limited resources of the panchayat.

Collaborative effort

“Construction of the new building happened through a collaboration between the Germany-based non-profit organisation Positive Power for Children led by German academic and philanthropist Maria Kasselmann and another charitable organisation Heart for Kingdom. The project was executed after obtaining necessary permits and support from stakeholders, including the Child Development Project Officer and the Integrated Child Development Services of the Women and Child Development department,” says Vimal Kumar R.K., member of Positive Power for Children.

The organisation’s role was strictly restricted to the construction of the educational infrastructure.

The new building is one-storeyed with features such as a spacious classroom equipped with benches, desks, a television, and educational materials, besides a kitchen, storage room, and toilet facilities. Child-friendly play equipment has also been installed on the premises.

Anganwadi teacher Josephine credited the successful completion of the project to the sustained efforts of the ward member in coordinating the initiative and overcoming administrative hurdles. She expressed hope that the new facilities would encourage enrolment and provide a more favourable environment for early childhood education in the coastal community.

(The writers, Pavitra J.B. and Nandini D.S., interned at The Hindu, Thiruvananthapuram)