Nine months of carrying a child, the moment of birth, and then the crucial first six months—it all feels like a lifetime. But for many women in rural northern Bihar, this journey is filled with struggles, like limited healthcare, no guidance, and malnutrition that affects both mother and child.
Eight months ago, ZealGrit decided to step into Supaul, where data speaks of a grim reality. 69.4% of children aged 6-59 months were anaemic, and 42.9% of children under five were stunted. But beyond the statistics, we saw stories of silent battles, of mothers trying to raise their children with little to no support. If we wanted to improve maternal and child health outcomes, we had to start from the very beginning—from conception to the first two years of life. Empowering mothers with the right knowledge became the core component.
And here is a story of resilience, transformation, and the power of knowledge in a trusted space.
During our initial field immersions, we met Rumi (name changed), a woman nine months pregnant and already a mother of five daughters. One of her children had died at birth due to a lack of proper healthcare. Her voice was calm, almost resigned, as she spoke about it. For her, pregnancy had become routine—another child, another delivery, no checkups, no advice, no real care. With her husband away working as the sole earning member, she was left to manage the household alone, juggling responsibilities without any support.
A few weeks later, she gave birth to a baby boy. We visited her, sat beside her, and introduced her to breastfeeding techniques, latching, and newborn care. She listened, but it was all new to her. At that time, we hadn’t yet launched our project—we were still understanding the community’s needs and existing practices. But one thing became clear: the need was greater than we had imagined.
Two months ago, we officially launched Project 1000 Days, and by then, Rumi’s son was six months old. We had been visiting her regularly, guiding her through the critical early months—breastfeeding, complementary feeding, developmental milestones, and warning signs for both mother and child. This time, she wasn’t just listening; she was asking questions.
She absorbed every detail with curiosity. “Aap log bolte ho toh bahut acha lagta hai, lagta hai koi toh hain hame samjhane ke liye” (It feels good when you speak like there has come someone to help us learn), Rumi said.
We saw the change. When she was pregnant, she hadn’t known what antenatal care meant, but now she confidently told us how many vaccines her baby had received. She tracked his growth, marked milestones on a calendar, and checked the doctor’s card. And she wasn’t just keeping the knowledge to herself.
Rumi shared her story with pride, encouraging other mothers to care for themselves and their children. She is gradually becoming a voice for better maternal and child health in her community, passing on what she has learned from us. Her journey shows that knowledge is power, and with the right support, mothers can change the course of their lives and their children's futures.
Project 1000 Days is all about giving mothers and caregivers the right tools to create lasting change.
This is just one story, but it holds everything ZealGrit stands for—a small shift in one mother’s life, a big step for her family, and a ripple effect that can change an entire community.
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