Save the Children Japan (SCJ) has been working in Nepal since 1992 to improve the situation of children in terms of survival and development. Implemented in 2 VDCs in Dhanusha district initially, the program activities of SCJ currently cover 28 VDCs of the district. Initially, the programme was focused to child development and protection issues and from late 1996, the community based nutrition programme and safer motherhood programmes were initiated in the district by using the Positive Deviance approach.
Covering 8209 children under 3 years of age from 15 very disadvantaged communities in Dhanusha district of Nepal, this project aims in reducing child malnutrition in a sustainable manner through family and community behavioral change related to children nutrition and safe motherhood practices as well as through enhancing capacity of local health services. Positive practices regarding child feeding, caring, health seeking and maternity care are identified from the poor families having well nourished children through the PDI (positive deviance inquiry) and then are made accessible to the families with malnourished children through a "learning by doing" process.
When asked what she Akasi changed to improve her son's health. Akasi says that before she wouldn't feed him if he had no appetite. Now, Akasi feeds him regardless of whether or not he is hungry.
Previously, Akasi did not feed Shatrungun a variety of foods. Now, she feeds him more frequently and includes a variety of foods, such as bringil (eggplant), snails, cauliflower, and fruits like mango and papaya when in season.
Yesterday Akasi fed her son 4 times and also provided a snack. Breakfast was left-over food from the previous day. Lunch consisted of rice and curry (bringil and potatoes) with a tablespoon of mustard oil. In the afternoon she fed her son food left over from lunch, and the evening meal was cauliflower, potatoes, and rice. During the hour the interviewers spent with the family, Shatrungun was given two snacks: millet roti and sugarcane molasses on a bamboo stick, and even some snails that were to be part of the evening meal (2-3 rupees for ½ kilo). Shatrungun ate constantly, asking for more.
Akasi also reported taking a bath daily as well as giving a bath to her child every day, which she did not do previously. Her husband had felt hopeless about their young son when he was sick, but now he is interested and shows affection towards him.
Akasi is very proud of her achievements. Many neighboring mothers have come to her to ask how it is possible for Shatrungun to be so healthy. Akasi gladly gives advice to these mothers, especially about hygiene and feeding children even when they do not ask for food. She encourages her neighbors to follow her example.