Our Interventions
Community Engagement, Livelihood Enhancement, Water Resource Management.
Health and Nutrition Initiatives, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Programs, Infrastructure Development, Nutrition Gardens.
Enhanced Service Delivery, Monitoring, and Evaluation.
Program Implementation
Identification of Villages/Schools/Anganwadis in coordination with government authorities and factory teams.
Training and equipping field resources and community volunteers.
Conducting baseline assessments to identify target beneficiaries and assess dietary, practice, and service gaps.
Executing planned activities, including the formation of beneficiary groups to encourage collective participation and support.
Establishing a conducive environment through collaboration with ICDS, health, education departments, and other relevant stakeholders.
Working Towards Malnutrition-Free Villages.
Flagship Initiatives
Energy Protein Dense Powder
Malnourished children face elevated risks of mortality and morbidity.
While hospital-based treatment for severe acute malnutrition is not
always feasible, especially in rural areas, home-based interventions can
be more suitable. Our Energy Protein Dense (EPD) powder offers a
therapeutic solution for treating severe acute malnutrition in children
aged six months to five years within the comfort of their homes.
Developed by Britannia Nutrition Foundation, our EPD powder is made
from a blend of sesame seeds, puffed rice (murmura), jaggery (gud),
groundnuts, and roasted chickpeas. This nutritious mixture, crafted by
10 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) women in Gwalior, is distributed across 59
villages. Rich in iron, protein, and vitamins, it serves as a vital nutritional
supplement.
Moreover, our initiative focuses on enhancing the social capacities of
beneficiaries, fostering empowerment, self-efficacy, aspiration, and
overall well-being. By empowering individuals to access and utilize
available nutrition services effectively, we strive to improve nutritional
outcomes across Madhya Pradesh.
Moringa Leaf Powder
Anaemia, a prevalent nutritional disorder, is primarily caused by iron
deficiency. Moringa leaves (Sehjan Ki Patiya) are abundant in iron and
other essential nutrients crucial for iron metabolism. In collaboration
with our community mobilizers, local women cultivate Moringa leaves
near their homes after receiving awareness sessions.
The impact of incorporating Moringa leaves into the diet was evident in
the decline of moderate and severe anaemia rates among intervention
communities in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Increasing the quantity and
frequency of Moringa supplementation led to a significant reduction in
anaemia cases, thereby offering a complementary solution to address
anaemia effectively.
Employee Engagement
We prioritize the nurturing and empowerment of our Suposhan
Sakhis and Nutrition Champions through compassion and unity.
This approach not only strengthens our connection with the
community but also underscores our commitment to making a
positive impact in the world around us. Across all nine Britannia
Industries Factory locations, we have established volunteering
opportunities for our employees to actively engage and contribute
at the grassroots level.
Our volunteering initiatives encompass a diverse range of activities
aimed at demonstrating care and fostering trust within the
communities we serve. These include assisting in the
establishment of organic Poshan Vatikas by school students and
tribal communities, participating in school wall painting projects,
creating and distributing nutritious seed balls for farming,
conducting educational sessions, conducting household visits at
the community level, organizing recreational activities with
children, and promoting the health benefits of yoga for holistic
human development and well-being.
Toilet Construction
The construction of toilets in schools not only enhances attendance rates but
also significantly contributes to overall sanitation improvements. Recognizing
this vital need, a government school has enlisted the support of Britannia
Nutrition Foundation to enhance sanitation infrastructure through corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Beyond the mere provision of toilet facilities, our efforts focus on imparting
comprehensive health and hygiene education to garner community support.
Additionally, we provide managerial and technical training on sanitation
delivery to school leadership, teachers, and parents, empowering them to
advocate for themselves with urban local bodies and municipalities. This
approach ensures the effective maintenance and sustainability of school
sanitation facilities.
Our initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of a clean and
sanitized environment within school premises, foster behavioral change
among students towards good hygiene practices, and disseminate
knowledge on sanitation principles.
Holistic Approach to Address Malnutrition: Key Initiatives in FY 2022-23
1. HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Enhancing Food Security and Diversity
We established numerous nutrition gardens in beneficiary households, anganwadi centers, and government schools, offering a fresh supply of vegetables and fruits. This initiative has substantially elevated the dietary diversity among beneficiary groups.
Strengthening Nutritional Support
To bolster the nutritional well-being of malnourished children, adolescents, and women, we provided additional nutrition aid, including dry rations, iron-enriched biscuits, peanut-jaggery chikki, moringa powder, and more.
2. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water
Access to clean drinking water is paramount in mitigating the risk of waterborne illnesses and positively impacting the health, nutrition, and educational outcomes of children. As part of our program initiatives, BNF has installed clean drinking water facilities in selected schools and anganwadi centers.
Promoting Sanitation and Hygiene
The absence of adequate sanitation facilities significantly contributes to the dropout rates among female students. BNF has constructed sanitation facilities in identified schools and provided hygiene kits to uphold personal hygiene standards.
Raising Awareness and Promoting Behavior Change
Through behavior change-focused activities, we conduct awareness campaigns to advocate for the adoption of optimal practices related to maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition.
3. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
Village Development Committee (VDC)
Established VDCs to facilitate collective community engagement and foster a sense of ownership. These committees played a pivotal role in identifying and addressing local village issues contributing to malnutrition.
Suposhan Sakhis (Women Change-makers)
Recognizing the transformative potential of women in achieving sustainable nutrition outcomes, the Foundation empowered community women through training and encouragement to promote positive behaviors and practices.
Nutrition Champions (Adolescent Change-makers)
Peer support groups, known as Nutrition Champions, were established to promote positive health, hygiene, and nutrition practices through peer support sessions in schools and communities.
Livelihood Enhancement
Acknowledging the link between economic well-being and nutrition outcomes, the Foundation promoted diversified livelihoods. We provided training, linkages, and support to enable households to generate additional income, thereby enhancing their overall livelihoods.
4. Strengthening Quality and Coverage of Services
Enhancing Service Provider Capacity
In our commitment to foster an environment of improved access, quality, and coverage of health and nutrition services, the Foundation conducted capacity enhancement sessions for anganwadi and health workers.
Empowering Women Change-makers (Suposhan Sakhis)
Recognizing the pivotal role of women in achieving sustainable nutrition outcomes, the Foundation engaged community women through training and encouragement to reinforce and expand the adoption of positive behaviors and practices.
Regularizing Health and Nutrition Services
Through collaboration with various government authorities, including health, education, and ICDS, we aim to establish robust partnerships and build an ecosystem that supports comprehensive maternal, child, and adolescent nutrition, thereby fostering sustainable nutrition outcomes
Our Change Agents
Suposhan Sakhis
Operational within Anganwadi centers, Suposhan Sakhis are selected from households with malnourished children.
They undergo various training sessions and orientations conducted by BNF, along with receiving informative educational materials. These individuals extend support to families within their own villages.
With an inherent understanding of community dynamics, Suposhan Sakhis effectively facilitate women in accessing Anganwadi services to ensure proper care for their children.
They convene group meetings for mothers, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge throughout the community.
BNF acknowledges and values their contributions, fostering self-confidence and a strong sense of purpose among Suposhan Sakhis, who serve as the cornerstone of BNF's community initiatives.
Nutrition Champions
Operational within schools, Nutrition Champions are selected from among malnourished children who actively participate in program activities.
They undergo various activity-based training sessions to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Groups comprising children and adolescents (typically 15-30 members) are formed, with each group being accompanied by at least 1-2 Nutrition Champions.
Nutrition Champions assist the BNF team in conducting regular growth monitoring activities.
Monthly group meetings are convened either within the school premises or in the villages, where Nutrition Champions lead discussions on relevant topics.
BNF acknowledges their dedication and pivotal role, recognizing them as significant contributors to BNF's initiatives.