Atma is excited to announce our three very first case studies.
These case studies provide an in-depth illustration of Atma’s intervention with specific Atma Partners, the outcomes from that intervention and the impact on both the organisation and on specific beneficiaries. We will be posting new case studies on a bi-monthly basis.
Check out our new Case Studies here!
Atma works in collaborative partnership with dynamic educational NGOs in Mumbai, supporting their changing organisational needs through the Atma Model: a unique blend of consultancy, skilled volunteers, workshops and advocacy.
Atma’s consultancy service is the base of the Atma Model. The Atma Partnerships Director meets with each Atma Partner regularly to strategise and create area-specific growth plans.
Summer Starr has been with Atma since October 2010 as Partnerships Director. She has supported our current Atma Partners on a holistic level, facilitating their growth and expansion over the past year. Summer’s dedication to high standards for individuals, organisations and for the development sector as a whole have inspired each person she has worked with to raise the bar and apply best practices to their organisations and their own job roles.
Atma is excited to collaborate with Atma Partner, The Foundation for Mother and Child Health (FMCH) in creating their organisational strategy for the upcoming year. We have spent the past two days this week with FMCH conducting strategy sessions: these have resulted in the strengthening of their team objectives and shared mission for the holistic development of children and mothers. Atma looks forward to reporting FMCH’s continued success.
The Foundation for Mother and Child Health India (FMCH) improves the lives of mothers and children by providing programs focused on preventative healthcare, education, and nutritional interventions to underprivileged communities. Founded in 2005 in Indonesia, FMCH believes that a child’s development in the early years of their life is a foundation for their future educational and personal development.
Malnutrition in children is the result of several factors, most of which fall under a lack of access to resources and education. A limited family income, poor knowledge of basic nutrition and hygiene practices, and limited access to medical support, safe water and proper accommodation all contribute to the issue of child malnutrition. FMCH’s mission is to tackle malnutrition in innovative ways. Through medical clinics, health talks, home visits and cooking and parenting classes, FMCH approaches early childhood development and health from multiple angles. By addressing health issues and malnutrition in pregnant women, infants and young children, and by teaching proper nutrition, they focus on the holistic development of the child and empower women to make smart health choices for their families.
Virginia Tarozzi came to Atma after spending 5 months travelling in Latin America, the US and South East Asia. She was looking for a change from the life of a traveller and wanted to re-engage in the working world by contributing to a social cause. However, she was not expecting the kind of professional development experience she received from Atma. She had hoped at best to teach children and feel good about a short-term impact. However, she found herself engaged in work that stimulated her creatively and challenged her professionally. With a Master’s degree in Fundraising and many years of work experience including fundraising at Oxfam Ireland, Virginia found a good fit for her background in a marketing role with Atma partner, The Foundation for Mother and Child Health (FMCH).
After finishing her BA in International Business, Simran Daryanani began considering working in the field of development. She knew that her classroom studies could only take her so far, and was looking for an opportunity to use her skills on the ground and gain professional experience. Her search for real hands-on social sector experience brought her to Atma.
In April, Simran finished a six-month Atma volunteership. Simran assisted with organisational development at Atma’s newest partner, the Foundation for Mother and Child Health (FMCH).FMCH aims to improve early childhood development by providing underprivileged communities with health and nutrition education as well as interventions such as clinics and nutrition supplement programs.
Photo by Jacek Rezsko
At FMCH, Simran found a challenging volunteer opportunity: one that allowed her to truly work on the ground in the strategic planning and programs of an NGO.
Sheetal is like many of the mothers living in the Mahalaxmi area: she works hard to care for her daughter and provide opportunities for her development. Unlike many of the women in her community, Sheetal and her daughter are benefiting from regular doctor visits and nutritional counselling to ensure their best possible health.
The program that allows Sheetal and other young mothers to access nutritional education and counselling is called ‘Bloom’. Bloom is just one of the initiatives of Atma Partner ‘the Foundation for Mother and Child Health (FMCH). FMCH focuses on innovative ways of addressing health and nutrition education with specific, community-based interventions.
Photo by Jacek Reszko
This mother and little girl are beneficiaries of Atma’s newest partner, the Foundation for Mother and Child Health.
Dottie Wagle is the chairperson of Atma Partner FMCH’s India board. The Foundation for Mother and Child Health focuses on encouraging preventive health and balanced nutrition practices in underprivileged communities. Dottie has been a valuable part of FMCH’s blossoming projects in Mumbai since early 2010.
FMCH became an Atma Partner in June 2010.
“FMCH has an incredible staff, and is prepared with a lot of tools and expertise,” said Atma’s Partnerships Director Summer Starr.
“Atma is helping them to recognize how to use their resources to move ahead with an excellent focus.”
“This is the first step in helping children and parents feel empowered about their health,” Dottie said at an FMCH committee meeting. She was referring to the ‘Bloom’ programme: an intervention focusing on teaching nutrition to a community of mothers and children at Mahila Ward in Mumbai.
