From Awareness to Action: How CURE India is Empowering Anganwadi Workers in Madhya Pradesh to Ensure No Child is Left Behind.
In the heart of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, a vital conversation took place this week at the Jawahar Ward Anganwadi Centre. Ms. Gyaneshwari, a dedicated District Program Coordinator (DPC) for CURE India, spent the day engaging with those who stand at the very front of rural healthcare: our Anganwadi workers and local community members.
This visit was not just a routine check-in; it was a strategic effort to dismantle the barriers of ignorance and myth that often surround clubfoot. By taking awareness to the grassroots, we are ensuring that the geography of a child’s birth does not determine their ability to walk.
Anganwadi workers are the pulse of the community. They are the first to know when a child is born and the first to notice when something is not quite right. By educating these frontline warriors in Mandla, Ms. Gyaneshwari is creating a sustainable system of early identification.
The message shared at Jawahar Ward was clear and life-changing: Clubfoot is 100% treatable. Many families in rural India still believe that clubfoot is a result of a "curse" or an incurable "twist of fate." These myths lead to delayed treatment, resulting in permanent disability. Through interactive sessions, CURE India is replacing these myths with medical facts. When identified early, the Ponseti method—a non-surgical approach involving gentle manipulation and a series of plaster casts—can fully correct the condition, allowing a child to lead a healthy, dignified life.
While the work in Mandla is local, it is backed by the immense credibility of a national movement. CURE India is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India. We operate the largest clubfoot program in the world, with the distinction of having overseen the most number of clubfoot children treated in history.
Our national presence allows us to provide a level of care that is both high-quality and accessible. We understand that for many families, the cost of specialized medical care is a barrier. This is why we provide Free Treatment and the essential FAB (Foot Abduction Brace)—a specialized shoe that prevents the foot from returning to its original position after casting.
Our mission in Madhya Pradesh is part of a larger, ambitious roadmap. Currently, CURE India is treating 33% of children born with clubfoot in India. While this represents a massive social impact, our goal is to scale this reach to 70% of children in the next 5 years.
This goal, known as RunFree2030, is a commitment to a future where untreated clubfoot is a thing of the past. To achieve this, we rely on the transparency of fund usage and the unwavering support of our partners and the general public. When you support CURE India, you are supporting a proven model of clinical excellence and logistical efficiency.
“Small steps in awareness today lead to big strides in a child’s tomorrow.” This quote from the Mandla session captures the essence of our work. But those strides require resources, advocacy, and your support.
Together, we are moving closer to a future where every child in India—from the busiest cities to the quietest wards of Mandla—can walk, run, and live without limitations.
Site by NWD.