Mahan Trust

States

Maharashtra

Melghat, a hilly forest region primarily populated by tribal people, was well-known for having an extremely high newborn mortality rate and deaths from malnutrition (among children under 5 years of age). In 2004, the rates of newborn mortality (NMR), infant mortality (IMR), and under-five mortality (U5MR) were around 54, 94, and 140 per 1000 live births, respectively. There was almost 9% severe malnutrition (PEM IAP Grades 3 and 4) among children under the age of five.

Treatment for under-5 children suffering from acute respiratory infections (ARI), diarrhoea, malaria, severe malnutrition, newborn sepsis, and birth asphyxia are taught to tribal women who have completed five to ten years of schooling and are prepared to work for the community. There was a heavy emphasis on diet and health education.

States

Maharashtra

The kitchen garden concept was realised in the tribal member's backyard by MAHAN's team. This is done using kitchen wastewater. It was also anticipated that this would address the issue of water logging, which encourages the growth of flies and mosquitoes and lowers the prevalence of diarrhoea and malaria.

Following the triumph of the Kitchen Garden, Nutrition farms are created. It is believed that one acre of land is sufficient to address the issue of hunger over the long run and give the children adequate nutrition. The predominant farming method is organic. Farmers received plants, farming techniques were imparted, local water bodies were rehabilitated to irrigate the nutrition farms, and general support was provided. All of this is accomplished with locally accessible resources, which lowers farming expenses. This is a step towards creating a healthy society and putting an end to poverty and malnutrition.

​