How DAF an NGO in Mumbai Renovated a Crumbling Anganwadi into a Child-Friendly Haven

1. How DAF an NGO in Mumbai Renovated a Crumbling Anganwadi into a Child-Friendly Haven

2. Mumbai’s Anganwadis are the centre of children’s welfare and young mother care. However, in the quiet pockets of Mumbai’s slum neighbourhood stood an Anganwadi centre calling for attention. The roof leaked, the walls had not been touched up for years and had plaster and cement falling, and there was one fan and one light, both at the last leg of their lives. No books, no toys, no cradles, no clean floor mats, just a rusting rack and a floor covered with dust and grime. The centre was begging for attention, and its four walls told the story of potential that the children could not get. This is the story of how the DebabrataAuro Foundation (DAF), the best NGO in Mumbai, transformed this forgotten structure into a vibrant, safe, and a nurturing place which has proven to be a child-friendly haven.

3. The renovations are not just structural changes; they have positively impacted the lives of children, mothers, and adolescent girls, ensuring that they get the support they deserve, restoring dignity, inspiring joy, and building a future with a stable foundation. The wake-up call: A field visit that changed everything On a long weekend in 2024, DAF’s child welfare team visited the Anganwadi to conduct an awareness session for young mothers and children but was appalled to see the conditions they saw. There was one plastic stool with a taped-up leg, on which the attendant was sitting, trying to pacify some toddlers. The blackboard and charts were all in dilapidated condition, the bathrooms were locked as there was no water, and there was no drinking water filter, only an earthen pot. The whole centre had an unwelcoming and unsafe vibe. The Anganwadi is meant to be a nurturing place for the first five years of a child’s life, but this centre has no resources or the support to fulfil its requirements. That was when DAF decided that this Anganwadi will become a model.

4. Why was this project important Anganwadisare the lifelines of the community in underserved areas. Through these buildings, children get access to early education, nutrition, and a safe space to grow; pregnant women learn how to take care of their babies, and the importance of health and proper nutrition; and adolescent girls learn hygiene and empowerment. Therefore, this project became quite close to DAF’s heart. As one of the top NGO in Mumbai, the members dedicated their time and efforts to make the Anganwadi centre a vibrant hub for the community. Planning and renovation: A community joins hands By improving the infrastructure and correcting the facilities, DAF aimed to provide a supportive environment for children, adolescents, and young mothers. The team met and got inputs from different stakeholders in the project:

5. Anganwadi workers and helpers • Local parents and other members of community • Community leaders • The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) supervisor of the area • The idea was clear and well-defined: Make a functional, safe, inviting, and engaging space by listening to the local context. • Work began at a fast pace, and in just under six weeks, the transformation took its final shape with contributions, care, creativity, and collaboration from the location community. Here is what the top NGO in Mumbai, DAF, did: • Walls and floors: Sealed the cracks on floors, scrubbed the floors clean, and give the walls and roof a fresh pastel paint to bring in more light. • Roofing and ventilation: Mended the roof by replacing the leaking parts with durable and insulated roofing. Installed new fans for ventilation. • Sanitation: The toilet was renovated to be more child-friendly with running water, and

6. a cleaner was hired to ensure hygiene and accessibility. • Learning materials and play • Fresh low seating benches and soft floor mats were donated to the Anganwadi. • Age-appropriate educational toys for children, including toys, puzzles, drawing books and other art supplies. • The walls were renovated and painted with interactive charts to encourage sensory learning. • DAF team involved local volunteers and mother’s groups to set up the centre. This helped create a sense of pride and ownership in the community. • The result: A space transformed, lives touched • The joy on the faces of the children exploring the books and toys was worth the effort. The impact is real and lasting, and for DAF, this is just the beginning. We are walls of the centre now radiating the colour and reflecting the

7. happiness that the visitors feel. Best NGO in mumbai 2025, DAF, is committed to expanding its reach and involving more communities and government bodies to create such happy places for children and women. • The outcome • Enrolment increased by 33% as more parents were sending their children. • Daily attendance has become consistent • More children were active in Anganwadi and the interactive teaching became popular • The parents felt more confident that their children now had a safe and hygienic haven with actual learning opportunities. • This renovation project is not just about paints and furniture; it was about correcting an injustice, honouring the innocence of every child, and investing in their future that will shape their lifetime. • Want to be part of this transformation? • Partner with DAF to renovate more Anganwadis and empower the future generation—one safe space at a time. • Visit www.daf.foundation or write to us at info@daf.foundation.

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