In a nation where 10 million young children work, where four out of five children never enter school and one out of six girls do not live to see their 12th birthday, they felt something had to be done. CRY acts as a bridge, providing support and materials to grassroots groups and workers who can make those changes. CRY, said Varma, is a link between the people who care and those who need care. The challenges CRY faces in the area of health care are many. Manab Bose, director of human resources and corporate affairs for GE India, said the mortality rate among infants and children is very high.
Malnutrition is a very big problem.
The Fellows, each with their innovative approaches, are trying to tackle age-old problems of child labor, discrimination against the girl child, and health care and education for the underprivileged. They are workers like Dr. Sree Kumari Kartha, who promotes child health by encouraging new mothers in Indian hospitals to breastfeed exclusively. Women in some areas of India are taught that the first milk that comes from the breast is not good for an infant and they do not use it, which diminishes some of the most nutritious benefits of breastfeeding. Dr. Kartha also teaches women how to care for their infants and other children at home, focusing on clean health practices and preventive health care. More than 4,800 mothers and infants have been helped by her tireless efforts.