It’s 6:00 AM in a tiny hamlet tucked inside Kandhamal’s forested hills. The sun hasn’t fully risen, and the mist still hovers over the muddy pathways. In a small, tin-roofed house, 28-year-old Laxmi Majhi, a health volunteer trained by Suprativa, finishes her morning chores, ties her dupatta around her shoulders, and steps out — with a cotton sling bag and a quiet mission.
Laxmi is one of Suprativa’s 100+ community health volunteers, trained to provide essential medical support, awareness, and compassion to people living far from hospitals and health centers. Her presence in the village is not just appreciated — it’s essential.
7:00 AM – First Stop: Nutritional Check for Infants
Laxmi’s first visit is to Rina, a young mother with a six-month-old baby. She weighs the child using a portable hanging scale and notes the reading.
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“No fever, weight improving. Keep giving her mashed banana and rice water,” she says, handing over a pictorial card about infant feeding. Rina nods, smiling gratefully. Before Suprativa came, mothers like Rina relied solely on traditional methods, unaware of malnutrition symptoms or feeding gaps.
8:30 AM – Health Talk with Adolescent Girls
At the local anganwadi center, 15 girls sit on the floor as Laxmi begins her session on menstrual hygiene. She uses visuals and simple Odia words to explain menstruation, proper pad use, and disposal.
“What if I get periods in school?” asks one shy girl.
“Carry a cloth or pad in your bag,” Laxmi answers gently. “And remember, periods are normal — not shameful.”
Before Suprativa, many girls dropped out of school once they hit puberty. Today, these sessions are slowly reversing that trend.
10:00 AM – Antenatal Care Home Visits
Next, Laxmi visits Sunita, seven months pregnant. She checks her blood pressure with a manual monitor, notes swelling in her feet, and refers her to the block PHC (Primary Health Centre).
Sunita’s first two deliveries were at home. This time, thanks to Suprativa’s guidance and ambulance linkages, she’s preparing for an institutional delivery.
Laxmi also reminds her about iron tablets and distributes a protein food mix Suprativa prepares with locally available ingredients like roasted chana, rice, and jaggery.
12:30 PM – Break and Diary Update
Under the shade of a mango tree, Laxmi rests. She pulls out a small notebook and updates the register: 6 families visited, 1 referral, 3 girls educated, 2 infants monitored.
It’s not just data. These numbers represent changed lives.
2:00 PM – Counseling a Family on TB Symptoms
In another home, a father complains of prolonged cough and fatigue. Laxmi suspects TB. She explains symptoms, refers him for a sputum test, and assures him the treatment is free.
TB, despite being curable, remains undiagnosed in rural Odisha due to stigma and lack of information. Laxmi’s role is part medical, part psychological — and deeply human.
4:00 PM – Meeting with the Panchayat
Laxmi joins the Suprativa field coordinator at the Panchayat office. They present a report on immunization gaps and request support for organizing a health camp next month.
Her work isn’t limited to homes — it extends to systems and change-making.
6:00 PM – Home Again, With Purpose
As the sky turns orange, Laxmi walks home, tired but content. She’s helped a pregnant woman avoid complications, guided teenage girls with dignity, and identified a possible TB case. It’s a typical day in her extraordinary journey.
Why Suprativa’s Volunteer Model Works
Suprativa’s health volunteers are selected from the communities they serve. They:
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Speak the same language
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Understand cultural norms
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Build trust easily
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Create behavior change over time
They’re trained in basic health, nutrition, hygiene, and referral services — and backed by Suprativa’s mobile health team, local ASHAs, and doctors during camps.
Impact in Numbers (2020–2024)
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100+ trained volunteers active across 8 districts
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32,000+ home visits conducted
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18,000+ adolescent girls educated on health
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9,500+ pregnant women monitored or referred
Healthcare isn’t just about hospitals and doctors — it’s about presence, trust, and continuity. Through its tireless volunteers like Laxmi, Suprativa is proving that even the remotest villages of Odisha deserve dignity, access, and care.
