A unique intervention programme, developed by the Child in Need Institute (CINI), covers villages and slums in West Bengal. In this programme, health workers first identify needy mothers-to-be, within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. CINI then looks for sponsors to adopt them. As part of the Life Cycle Approach used in a holistic manner, the services are targeted at women during pregnancy and children up to the age of  two years, as this is the critical period when 80% of brain growth takes place in the human life cycle.

The programme does not end here, however. Both parents are instructed about the importance of adequate rest for the mother-to-be. They are also oriented in the basics of good parenting and made aware of the necessity of family planning.

Goals & Objectives

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Safe motherhood & childcare and growth
Male participation in Reproductive and Child Health
Equip adolescents with the knowledge to be able to make informed choices about health and nutrition
Establish a coordinating mechanism with the government and Panchayat health efforts.

Expected Outcomes

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Ensure birth of healthy babies with birth weight of at least 2.5 kg or more
Improved birth weight, nutrition, health and developmental status of children up to two years
Improved practices of the mother and the family members, enabling a supportive environment for a healthy pregnancy as well as nurturing the mother and her child
Improved linkage and strengthening of the available health infrastructure

Adoption Rights & Privileges

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Adoptive parents are updated on the progress of the mother and the child through regular reports, details of their weight, photographs, etc. They receive:

First Report - Pre-natal Care Report
At the time of adoption
Second Report - New Born Report
A photograph of both the mother and child
Third  & Final Report - Post-natal Care & Child Health Report
A photograph of the child when s/he turns 18 months old

Adopt a Mother now

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