In a collaborative effort to enhance their mission of combating malnutrition and ensuring food security, the Caritas Global Program Team and the Sabal Team embarked on an exposure visit to Dharni in the Amravati district of Maharashtra. This visit, which took place from September 19th to September 21st, 2023, served as a vital platform for cross-learning and knowledge sharing among diverse groups of program management teams, field teams, volunteers, and community leaders. Representatives from various states, including Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, came together for this educational exchange.

The primary aim of this exposure visit was to gain first-hand experience and insights into the impactful initiatives carried out by “Action Against Hunger” and the “Caritas Sabal Program” in Dharni Block. Both organizations have been working tirelessly to combat malnutrition, promote maternal and child health, and advocate for change through community-led programs and innovative models. Such visits play a crucial role in enriching the understanding of program teams, facilitating effective strategy planning, and fostering collaboration among organizations.

The visit commenced with a focused technical training session conducted by the Action Against Hunger technical team on the first day. This session delved into critical issues, including malnutrition, maternal child health, and advocacy. It provided an invaluable opportunity for the visiting teams to gain deeper insights into the challenges faced and the initiatives being undertaken to address these pressing concerns in the region.

The second day of the visit saw the teams split into four groups, each assigned to visit one of the four intervention villages managed by “Action Against Hunger.” These villages included Ranapisa, Khidiki, Titamba, Kasmora, Nagjhiar, Zhanjhari Dhana, and Rajpur. This hands-on experience allowed the teams to witness the activities and models implemented by the organization up close. These models included kitchen gardening, Tippy Tap handwashing stations, Model Anganwadi Centers, poultry farming managed by targeted households, and pisciculture farming managed by trained women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The visits provided a deep understanding of the ground-level work being done to combat malnutrition, enhance maternal and child health, and advocate for positive community change. The dedication and innovative approaches of Action Against Hunger left an indelible impression on the teams.

The final day of the visit took the teams to the Sabal program area, specifically to Awagad Village in Dharni block. In this village, 100% of households had maintained kitchen gardens and economical handwashing stations, a remarkable achievement. The Sabal program, dedicated to empowering women and promoting sustainable development, had played a pivotal role in bringing about this transformative change. Witnessing the impact and the positive transformation brought about by the Sabal initiative left the teams deeply inspired.

The exposure visit to Dharni in the Amravati district of Maharashtra was a resounding success. It served as a platform for the Caritas Global Program Team and the Sabal Team to gain valuable insights, exchange knowledge, and witness the outstanding work being done by Action Against Hunger and the Caritas Sabal Team. This visit not only reaffirmed their commitment to their mission but also ignited a renewed sense of purpose to continue making a positive impact on the lives of the communities they serve. It exemplified the importance of cross-learning and collaboration in the journey towards ensuring food security and nutrition for all.