Small Change, Big Difference by Natalie Armitage

When I was assigned to the creche and balwadi project I was excited and enthusiastic about the possible prospects. At first it was quite slow and going into the balwadis was emotionally difficult and to a certain extent very draining. However, seeing these conditions made me and the others on the team more determined to change things for the long term and have a lasting effect on the conditions of the creches and balwadis within Deep Griha. With this determination in mind Jade and I came together and performed a small puppet show for the children that incorporated hygiene routines before eating and after going to the toilet. All the children became involved in the show by following the actions demonstrated by the puppets. I also made them a poster to put up in their classroom. A couple of days later before the children ate their lunch a bucket of water of water was brought to the class for the children to wash their hands. This had never happened before and that was obvious from the childrens confused looks. They didn't know what the water was for. After the initial confusion all the children were excited and enthusiastic about washing their hands. They treated it as a new game. I was moved by this small simple hand washing exercise. It is little changes like this that makes this experience so special and makes me feel glad to be involved with Deep Griha.