Reena is excited to learn to parent

Thank you for gifting a year of parenting classes to Reena.

Reena, hardly more than a child herself, is already the mother of two children, a 2-year old girl and a 6-month old boy, Kunal.  Reena was married several years ago to her husband, who works as a masala (spice) seller on the side of the road.  He earns about 3,000 rupees ($60) per month, and the family lives with Reena’s parents-in-law, as well as her brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  Reena became pregnant with her daughter almost immediately after getting married, and felt that she wasn’t prepared to become a parent so soon.  With the birth of her son, however, she was determined to improve her mothering skills.

She heard about a parenting class held at the nearby AIC Health and Community Centre and decided to join when she saw other mothers in her slum community attending.  She goes to the class every Friday with Kunal in tow, and enjoys participating in group discussions and activities while Kunal plays with toys and other children.  She and the other mothers listen to guest lecturers and have the opportunity to ask questions and express opinions about topics ranging from infant care and development to family planning.  The class also includes a healthy snack for the mothers and their babies, a small gift (toiletry or hygiene items) to reward good attendance and the opportunity to consult with the on-site doctor about any concerns that Reena has.

Reena has felt much less isolated since joining the class, as she has built relationships with other young mothers in her community, and she says that she particularly enjoys learning about nutrition and dietary needs of her children.