Loss motivates Asha to be a good mother

Asha is mother to three children, including one year old Kajal (picture here). Asha and Kajal have begun attending parenting classes run by the Ashraya Initiative for Children. These classes are known locally by the women as “Mother-Baby classes” because of the integrated nature of the gatherings, in which mothers learn the healthiest way of interacting with their little ones.

Asha’s husband, who earns about 4,000 rupees (about $70) per month doing electrical work, has been very supportive of his wife’s participation in these classes. He believes they help her to be a better, more attentive mother.

He and Asha still grieve for their oldest child, a daughter who died of meningeal tuberculosis a number of years ago. This experience has strengthened their resolve to be good parents and provide their children with opportunities in the future. At the Mother-Baby classes, Asha learns about the building blocks to ensure a bright future for Kajal and her other children — which foods comprise balanced meals, the importance of early childhood education, how to provide a safe, nurturing home environment, and many other fundamentals of baby and toddler care.

Thank you Kayla, Akiko, Amit, Tony, and Anil for helping Asha support her children through the Ashraya Initiative for Children!