Child-Friendly Anganwadi Project

In 2018, APSA was approached by Plan India to take up construction of two child-friendly anganwadis in 2 locations in North Karnataka. The project, supported by Coca-Cola, called for the construction of two model anganwadi centres in the chosen locations to enable children aged 3-6 years from vulnerable community families to access their right to pre-school education within a safe, conducive and child-friendly environment. A second objective of the project was to enable mothers of anganwadi children to use the space for parents’ meetings so they could educate themselves on important issues such as child rights and protection, nutrition, healthcare and immunization and good parenting practices. The project was envisioned within the framework of child rights and would include disability-friendly access for children and women with disabilities.

A budget of INR 46.67 lakhs was granted towards the project by funder Coca-Cola through Plan India. The two locations selected to implement the project were Haliyal, a panchayat town and Dandeli, a city – both located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state. The overarching aim of the project was to hand over the anganwadis to the local government for scaling up and replication throughout the state.

APSA, the implementing partner on the ground, identified Nivasa – a technical agency that formerly supported the Udipi district administration in designing similar anganwadis – to design the present project. An additional support team – including an External Civil Engineer and Program Manager – was taken on board to supervise project design and onsite certification, oversee project implementation and network with local government departments to obtain necessary permits and documentation.

Prior to project implementation, Nivasa carried out detailed site analyses and soil testing to ensure stability of the structures. Architectural drawings and budgets for various components (structural, electrical, plumbing) were also prepared and finalized with approval from the Department of Women & Child Development (DWCD) and the District Child Protection Office (DCPO) in the two locations. APSA floated tenders for calls for building construction through advertisements in leading newspapers, obtained land and construction-related permits from the Department of Revenues and Gram Panchayats, and No Objection Certificates from the Town Municipal Council and City Corporation of Haliyal and Dandeli respectively.

Construction of the anganwadis was taken up simultaneously in September 2018 with focus on quality and adherence to approved architectural guidelines. Although the project was beset by major challenges – the Karnataka elections in May 2018, delay in obtaining clearances, water problems due to the dry season on one hand and heavy rains on the other, and holidays due to state and local festivals – it was completed in December 2019. The two anganwadis have been handed over to the local governments in Haliyal and Dandeli in August 2020.