1st 1000 Days: United Way Bengaluru’s Born Learning Campaign Lays Foundation for a Brighter Future
The first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to their second birthday—are widely recognized as the most critical period for a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. United Way Bengaluru (UWBe) has championed this vital cause through its flagship initiative, the Born Learning Campaign (BLC).
More than just a program, “1st 1000 Days” is a nationwide movement under BLC, built on the belief that early childhood care not only shapes individual lives but also defines the future of our society. In alignment with key government frameworks such as the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Poshan 2.0, Saksham Anganwadi, and the Aspirational Districts Program, the campaign is transforming how communities nurture their youngest members.
Transformative Impact at Scale
With over 20 lakh lives touched and 11,000+ Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) impacted across Bengaluru, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, the campaign’s targeted interventions ensure every child gets a fair start in life:
Key Interventions:
- Maternal Health & Nutrition: Hygiene awareness, exclusive breastfeeding education, and immunization drives.
- Community Education: Engaging parents—especially mothers—in their child’s growth through regular health and nutrition meetings.
- Frontline Worker Training: Empowering Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) with Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) best practices.
- Tangible Health Support: Distribution of nutrition kits, neonatal kits, and essential teaching-learning materials to improve care environments.
Fast Facts:
- Geographic Reach: Bengaluru Urban (Karnataka), Patna (Bihar), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Osmanabad (Maharashtra)
- AWWs Trained on First 1000 Days: 1,122
- Neonatal Children Reached (0–3 months): 4,264
- Parents Engaged in Child Development: ~84,000
- AWWs and AWHs Trained in ECCE: 5,189
- Nutrition Kits Distributed: 589
- Neonatal Kits Distributed: 5,555
- Anganwadis Equipped with Teaching & Learning Materials: 1,649
“Every Anganwadi transformed, every mother empowered, and every child supported marks a step toward a healthier, brighter future. When we nurture our youngest, we build a stronger tomorrow,”
United Way Bengaluru’s “1st 1000 Days” campaign proves that collective action, aligned with policy, and driven by grassroots involvement, can shape generations.
