top of page

Things That Matter Are Hard, But A Shared Cup of Tea Can Show The Way

Anshika Pandey

“Are ek cup chai to pee lijiye, bina chai ke to nahi jaane denge!" (Please have a cup of tea, we won’t let you leave without tea)

Anshika talking to a mother about her health and nutrition
Anshika talking to a mother for the "Project 1000 Days"

This simple gesture says so much. It made me realise how tea often becomes a symbol of warmth, connection, and hospitality in the field. What starts as one cup often turns into four as we visit house after house. This was just one of the moments that defined the launch of our new project, “Project 1000 Days.” It’s ZealGrit's second project, and we are launching it in our very first year. It’s both a privilege and a challenge. The project focuses on reproductive, maternal, and child health, working with pregnant women, new mothers, children under five, and community healthcare workers.


Starting something from scratch—turning an idea into action—has taught me a lot. A project often begins with enthusiasm and dreams, but that’s not enough. It’s about understanding what’s truly needed and why. Before we began, we repeatedly asked ourselves: What does the community need? What are we trying to achieve?


Supaul, where we operate, presents concerning health indicators. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 data (2019-20), over 50% of pregnant women and 60% of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic, while nearly half of all children under five are wasted or underweight. These numbers made it clear that intervention was necessary. But numbers alone never tell the whole story. To really understand the need, we had to get up close.

With that in mind, we created our to-do list: meet key people, visit Anganwadi centres, speak with mothers and local stakeholders, and much more. Each task was both extensive and exhilarating. We began with the community, which was an experience full of both challenge and reward. As the saying goes: “Things that matter are hard.” It’s never easy, but it’s always worth it.

Tea being made on an earthen stove
Chai during field conversations

On the first day, we were met with curious glances and raised eyebrows. Despite the nervous energy, we kept smiling—grinning as if we weren’t anxious at all!

And that’s because we were just as new to them as they were to us.


One of our first encounters was with an elderly couple holding a six-month-old baby. We greeted them with smiles and asked, “Kya hum babu ki mummy se mil sakte hain? Kya aap humko apne ghar le ke chalogi?” (Can we meet the baby's mother? Would you take us to your home?) She immediately smiled and responded, “Arey bilkul! Adi ki mummy to ghar par hi hai, aapko aur bhi auraton se milwa sakte hain. Chalo chalo!” (Oh, absolutely! Adi's mother is at home, and I can introduce you to other women too. Come along!)

Her warm response lit up our spirits, and the visit quickly transformed into an impromptu group discussion.


In that discussion, we faced all sorts of curious questions: who were we, where are we from, why were we there, how much we are paid, and how would we help? This experience taught me an important lesson: Always be prepared to introduce yourself in a relatable way. When you put in the effort to become part of the community, your visits are far more meaningful and productive.


Each day and each visit was unique. Different paths to take, different people to meet, and different stories to hear. And each time, we left with new experiences. One day, a colleague brought a bunch of guavas from Malti didi’s tree; the next, someone had mud all over her leggings from crossing seven fields to reach Rashmi’s home. We often found ourselves staying for lunch, building connections along the way. These moments became the unforgettable stories of our fieldwork.

Anshika in heart-to-heart conversations with a woman
Heart-to-heart conversations

While our community visits were full of warmth, unpredictability, and spontaneity, interacting with government stakeholders was a different ballgame. These meetings were formal and structured and often tested our patience with long waits. Being on time and staying persistent was non-negotiable. The silver lining? Most officials understood what NGOs do, which made it a bit easier to dive straight into our goals.


But all of it is not just important but essential. It takes a lot of internal motivation and persistence! That’s how we find “what is needed”. 


As you may recall from Radha’s story (if not, check out our previous blog here), we discovered the real needs during our visits. Many women were unaware of their own health needs, including the importance of breast milk for infants under six months or the significance of antenatal care and nutrition during pregnancy. These gaps were there, waiting to be addressed.


Starting Project 1000 Days has been a constant learning curve. Plans often stray off course, and some visits leave us feeling frustrated, exhausted, or even puzzled. But with every shared cup of tea, every warm smile, and every connection we make, the bigger picture becomes clearer. As a team, we are more determined than ever to take this forward. We are identifying gaps, listening to personal stories, and refining our plans to improve maternal and child health and nutrition outcomes.


And as much as I would love to tie this blog into a perfect conclusion, the truth is that this story is just beginning. Stay tuned for more stories and insights from our journey ahead!

86 views

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page