For 27-year-old Ibanylla Shangpliang, a resident of Mawdiangdiang in East Khasi Hills District, the worry was always the same.
As a mother, she wanted her children to be healthy, but she was afraid of immunisation. She had a doubt that stayed in her mind: What if my child becomes sick after getting an injection?
She worried that after receiving a vaccination, her children might suddenly become unwell and that it could affect their health. Because of this fear, she was reluctant to take them for immunisation and was also hesitant about some other health services. It was not that she did not care about her children. In fact, it was because she cared so much that she was afraid.
That began to change when the State-Block Human Development Team(BHDT) team visited Mawdiangdiang, East Khasi Hills District, on 18 August 2026, as part of the HDLP-ECD Community Meeting held at the Community Hall. The meeting brought together parents, children, frontline workers, community leaders and members of the BHDT. While the community took part in different activities and discussions, the team also spent time speaking with families and listening to their concerns. When Ibanylla spoke with the team, she was able to share the doubts she had been carrying as a mother. The team explained to her the benefits of immunisation and talked to her about the importance of taking care of her own health during pregnancy. They also discussed institutional delivery.
The conversation gave her a better understanding of why these services are important.
The visit also opened another door for her. Through Ilakyntiewsha Lawriniang, an National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) staff member, Ibanylla learned more about Self-Help Groups and how they can support women. She came to understand that an SHG is not only about saving money, but also about learning, supporting one another and taking part in the community.
“After the counselling, I got more knowledge about the benefit of the injection and how to take care of myself during pregnancy. I also got the courage for institutional delivery,” Ibanylla said.
After the visit, she decided to join the Iaibteng SHG in Mawdiangdiang. She is still new to the group and says it is too early to see a big change in her family. But she is already beginning to understand the opportunities that come with being part of the group. She is learning about membership, leadership and the importance of regular savings.
For Ibanylla, the hope is to eventually find new ideas and opportunities to improve her livelihood and provide a better future for her children.
“I hope after joining the SHG I will get opportunities and ideas to help my livelihood. I want to be active in the SHG and save regularly for the future of my children,” she said.
Looking back at the visit, Ibanylla says she feels more confident than before.
“After the team came for the visit, I got confidence and better understood more about the health sector and my role as a mother.”
She is now taking her first steps with the SHG and thinking more seriously about her children’s future.
For Ibanylla, the journey is only beginning. But it began with something very simple: someone came, listened to her, and took the time to explain.