Shruti
“A Healthier Childhood, One Small Change at a Time”
Eleven-year-old Shruti from a small rural community once lived a childhood shaped by constant discomfort, low energy, and poor nutrition. A Class 6 student growing up with her parents and two younger brothers, Shruti’s daily life reflected the quiet struggles many children face in underserved households with limited awareness about nutrition, repetitive food habits, and health issues that gradually become normalised inside families.
At home, meals followed familiar routines.
“पहले सुबह उठकर चाय देते थे… फिर चावल, दाल, सब्जी देते थे,” her mother recalled.
Like many children her age, Shruti loved fried snacks and outside food. “खाली भूनी चीज़ें खाती थी,” she admitted shyly. At the time, the family did not realise how deeply these habits were affecting her health.
But over the months, the signs became difficult to ignore.
Shruti began suffering from recurring skin rashes that caused severe itching and burning. The irritation affected not only her physical health, but also her confidence and daily life.
“रैश हमेशा रहते थे, खुजली भी होती थी, जलन भी होती थी,” the family shared.
Slowly, she stopped going out to play with other children.
“जब खुजली होती थी, तो बाहर खेलने नहीं जाती थी,” Shruti said quietly.
Though she continued attending school, her participation reduced, and her energy levels remained low. What looked like a small health issue was slowly affecting her childhood itself.
The turning point came when Sampushti’s school-based nutrition and health intervention reached her community.
Through regular health camps, awareness sessions, and home visits, Shivani and her family were introduced to simple but important ideas around hygiene, nutrition, and balanced eating using foods already available within the community.
The changes did not happen overnight. They began with small habits.
“सुबह उठकर नहाती हूँ, साबुन से हाथ धोती हूँ और फिर खाना खाती हूँ,” Shruti explained proudly.
Her mother remembered how the programme team guided them patiently during home visits.
“आकांक्षा दीदी घर आई थीं, उन्होंने समझाया… हमने सीखकर अपनाना शुरू किया।”
Gradually, the family started changing their food practices at home. Fried snacks and outside food were reduced. Meals became more nutritious and diverse, including vegetables, different varieties of lentils, curd, and locally available foods like moringa (सहजन), known for its nutritional value.
“अब वो सब्जी, कई प्रकार की दालें और दही खाती है,” her mother shared.
The most visible transformation came in Shruti’s health.
The painful rashes that once troubled her regularly disappeared completely.
“अब बिल्कुल रैश नहीं आते,” Shruti said confidently.
Her hemoglobin levels also improved significantly — rising from 11.3 g/dL to 13.3 g/dL — reflecting a clear improvement in her nutritional health and overall well-being.
“पहले 11.3 था, फिर 13.3 हो गया,” she recalled with pride.
But the real change was visible beyond the numbers.
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With better health came renewed confidence. Shruti began playing outdoors again, participating more actively in school, and engaging more freely with people around her. Teachers and facilitators noticed her growing awareness and curiosity.
“सिर्फ 11 साल की है, लेकिन सब कुछ जानती है,” one observer remarked.
What began as support for one child soon transformed the family’s everyday practices.
Today, the household follows healthier cooking habits, relies less on packaged and fried foods, and understands the importance of balanced home-cooked meals. More importantly, the family now feels capable of continuing these practices independently.
“अगर प्रोग्राम नहीं भी रहेगा, तो भी हम ये सब जारी रखेंगे,” they shared.
For Shruti’s family, the change is no longer temporary support — it has become a way of life.
“बहुत बदलाव आया है… पहले हम बहुत परेशान थे, अब सब ठीक है,” her caregiver reflected with relief.
Today, Shruti’s story is not just about improved nutrition or better health indicators. It is about how awareness, consistent guidance, and small behavioural changes can quietly transform a child’s confidence, participation, and future.