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Correct nutrition is important for both mother and the unborn child during pregnancy and continues to be of great significance in the first few years of life. For this reason, TEWFI has included nutritional awareness as part of its Post Tsunami Health Care and Research Project.
Regular programmes are conducted at Anganwadis (crèches) to educate mothers about vital issues relating to the growth and development of children. The growth of children in the community is monitored. Vitamins and nutritional supplements are provided as required.
Following the success of this programme, further nutrition programmes were conducted for lactating mothers in three villages – Thaluthalikuppam, Panniyar Chinna Kuppam and Pannaiyar Peria Kuppam – during September 2007. With the help of the Center for Women’s Development and Research (which had collected preliminary data) and the local Self Help Group, 47 mothers were identified and a suitable programme developed for the attendees. They were taught how to prepare nutritious meals, using only what the mothers had at their homes, while being educated about the importance of such food for the growth and development of children. To reinforce the information, a competition was initiated in each village to see who could prepare the meal the best. Three prizes were awarded in each village, in addition to some consolation prizes.
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