In 2020, during those precious 2.5 months before COVID swept through the globe, I completed an internship with Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR), an organization that works in Janta Colony (near Chandigarh), India to improve maternal and infant health care.

This organization employs men and women from within the community and trains them to become Health Promoters. Each Health Promoter is in charge of tracking the weight and health status of every pregnant woman and child up to five years of age within their assigned area. They are trained to give basic health care counselling to families and connect children to further resources. The children who come in as underweight are admitted to the organization’s nutrition program, where they receive daily high-caloric lunches.

DIR prioritizes education for women and children living in Janta Colony. School With A Difference is a preschool that prepares children in grades one to three to pass an annual exam that will qualify them to attend an English medium school in Chandigarh. DIR also runs a sewing school, which teaches women basic sewing techniques and entrepreneurial skills so they can generate an income to support their families.