Every morning, before the children settle down for the day’s activities, 58-year-old Sharada Rathod is already at the Anganwadi Centre, making sure everything is ready.

For the children at the SNEHA-ILP supported Anganwadi Centre in Vijayapura, Karnataka, she is simply “Sharada Amma”, someone who sings with them, dances with them, and never misses a chance to encourage them.

Though she is due to retire in two years, Sharada brings the same enthusiasm to work that she did years ago. Whether it is helping children learn through songs, guiding them during activities, or creating simple teaching-learning materials from locally available resources, she is always looking for ways to make learning enjoyable.

One of her proudest contributions is the kitchen garden she maintains at the centre. The vegetables grown there are used in the children’s meals, adding fresh nutrition to their diet. For Sharada, caring for children goes beyond the classroom.

Her bond with the children is evident in the way they gather around her, eager to share stories, show their drawings, or simply hold her hand.

Early childhood education depends not only on programmes and resources but also on dedicated people like Sharada. Through her warmth, creativity, and care, she has helped create a happy and nurturing space where children can learn and grow.

As she nears retirement, the impact she leaves behind can be seen in the smiles of the children she has nurtured and the countless small moments of care that have shaped their early years.

#EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildDevelopment #Anganwadi #GovernmentSchools #HolisticDevelopment #StoriesOfChange