A personal appeal from public health expert, Jon Rohde
When we founded Calcutta Kids nearly 20 years ago, we didn’t start from scratch.
We drew from brilliant public health experts like Jon Rohde, a Harvard-trained pediatrician and public health specialist who has dedicated his life and work to the global south. Jon served as both head of UNICEF in India and Special Advisor to the Executive Director of UNICEF.
Jon has had a hand in some of the most impactful public health advancements of the last century: universal immunization, oral rehydration therapy to treat life-threatening diarrhea, and growth monitoring and promotion, which distills pediatric care into a few essential activities that can be rolled out with little medical infrastructure. These advancements form the bedrock of Calcutta Kids’ work with children. Jon has been an advisor to Calcutta Kids for the last 15 years.
Needless to say, Jon’s opinion means a lot. Recently, Jon visited Calcutta Kids for the first time since our local team stepped in to lead day-to-day operations. Based on what he observed, Jon doubled his annual donation. Here’s what he had to say about his visit.
Dear colleagues and friends of Calcutta Kids (CK),
I am writing to share with you my findings on my 5th or 6th visit to CK recently after a lapse of 5 years. The program has succeeded beyond my fondest dreams, with now several thousand children from the slum community of Fakir Bagan grown healthy due to the efforts of Noah and Evangeline and their dedicated local team, which manages and implements all CK programs. The entire community owns and supports CK with pride.
My partner, Ruth, and I spent the day in Fakir Bagan trailing health workers, observing the clinic and the central activity of child weighing and counseling. We sat on the floor of a 3×3 meter room with two mothers and their kids while health workers sensitively probed for factors that could negatively influence their growth. Later, we attended an exuberant mothers’ meeting where all watched the preparation of a simple yet nutritious meal that they then shared with their kids. It was inspiring.
The local CK team now owns daily operations, and CK runs as smoothly as ever, with only weekly check-ins with Noah and Evangeline in the U.S. The team of health workers and support staff function as a cohesive unit and work closely with community members. Their efforts are evident in improved drainage, water protection, and housing over the past two decades. The recent development of a program to teach unmarried adolescent girls health and life skills was initiated by the community with support from CK. This program, Ashayein, is a source of pride for many and proof of what’s possible when community members have agency.
In recent years, 100% of mothers have delivered in a government hospital, up from only 15% when the program started in 2005. I spoke with one grateful mother who suffered a ruptured uterus and would certainly have died had she been at home. With monthly education sessions and home visits, the percentage of low birthweight babies has dropped to about 12%, from over 30% previously. Comparably, infants’ survival has dramatically increased.
Amazingly, of 600 children under 3 years old currently in the program, only 1% — a mere 7 children — are significantly malnourished. I saw the robust data collection system CK uses, and I watched the team use this data to monitor children’s health and provide individualized care. Children receive 3 home visits per month, food assistance, and a deep analysis of the family dynamics that may contribute to undernutrition and poor growth. This is a rare demonstration of the power of growth monitoring and promotion, so often unappreciated in public health.
I have one deep concern: while ALL CK kids are FULLY immunized — itself unique in India — the program is vitally dependent on continued financial support from abroad. I decided on the spot to double my annual contribution to CK, and I urge you to consider giving as much as you can.
The work of this small, dedicated team has been possible as a result of your generosity, widely recognized by the CK staff. I encourage you to make your own visit to Fakir Bagan and see this incredible organization at work. You have much to be proud of!
Thank you sincerely,
Jon E. Rohde
We are incredibly proud of all that Jon sees in Calcutta Kids: a locally-run program that provides life-saving and life-changing support for families.
And we are so grateful for you. Your contributions better the lives of the hundreds of families we work with. Please continue to give generously to support our work in 2025 and beyond.
With warmest holiday wishes and many thanks,
Evangeline Ambat & Noah Levinson
Co-Directors, Calcutta Kids