Rise Against Hunger India

A trustee's reflections from the annual RAHI board field visit to the villages of Bastar, Jagdalpur, and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.

Some journeys take you places. Others bring you closer to purpose.

Our annual Rise Against Hunger India board field visit to Bastar, Jagdalpur, and the villages of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Every year, the board travels to one of our operational areas to see programs firsthand, meet the communities we serve, and listen to the field teams who carry this mission forward every day.

The RAHI team gathered outside the District Program Office in Katekalyan, Dantewada — The team at the RAHI District Program Office in Katekalyan, Dantewada

From Strategy to Ground Reality

Stepping into the villages and meeting the communities takes us beyond boardrooms and strategy discussions — straight to the ground reality. It teaches us humility, gratitude, and the importance of staying connected to the people we serve. Presentations and reports can only tell you so much. When you sit with a mother at an Anganwadi centre, walk through a kitchen garden, or stand beside a newly built community irrigation pond, the numbers become faces and the outcomes become stories.

Community members welcome the visiting RAHI board with garlands at a village in Dantewada — A warm welcome from the community as the board arrives at one of the project villages

RAHI team visiting the Saksham Anganwadi Kendra at Chikrapal, Dantewada, with rangoli drawn to welcome visitors — Visiting the Saksham Anganwadi Kendra at Chikrapal — the rangoli at the entrance spoke of the warmth within

The Programs That Sustain Communities

RAHI's work in this region spans several interconnected programs. Maternal and child care ensures that mothers and young children in remote tribal villages receive the nutrition and health support they need. Kitchen gardens give families the ability to grow their own nutrient-rich food. Community irrigation and sustainable agriculture projects are helping farmers move beyond rain-dependent cultivation. Public health initiatives address endemic challenges. THRIVE livelihoods programming builds economic pathways. And emergency response readiness ensures communities are not left vulnerable when crisis strikes.

RAHI team at a community irrigation pond built as part of the sustainable agriculture program in Dantewada — A community irrigation pond — part of RAHI's sustainable agriculture work helping farmers move beyond rain dependence

What the Communities Teach Us

What you cannot prepare for, no matter how many field visits you have done, is the warmth and generosity of the communities themselves. Despite having so little, they welcome you with open arms, with rangoli at the doorstep, garlands, and a dignity that humbles you. The children are curious and unafraid. The women are articulate about what has changed and what still needs to change. The elders remember every promise that was made and fulfilled.

A RAHI team member holding a young child during a village visit under a traditional thatched shelter — Moments like these remind us why staying connected to the communities matters

RAHI team with village children gathered under a large tree during the field visit — The children of the village — curious, spirited, and full of potential

The Field Team's Resilience

What truly inspires me is our field team's resilience. Working in challenging and remote conditions — far from urban conveniences, navigating difficult terrain, often in areas with limited connectivity — they continue to show up every day with commitment, compassion, and a smile. They know every family by name. They understand the local context in ways that no central office ever could. They are the ones who turn strategy into impact.

The RAHI team trekking single-file through a grassy rural path to reach remote villages in Dantewada — Reaching the last mile — the team treks through rural paths to visit remote program villages

RAHI team walking through a village lane in the Dantewada district during the field visit — Walking through the villages, meeting families, and seeing programs in action

Culture, Service, and Gratitude

A field visit is not just about reviewing programs. It is also about understanding the culture, the heritage, and the spirit of the people. During this visit, we were privileged to witness a traditional performance by the tribal community — an experience that deepened our respect for the rich cultural identity of the region.

Tribal performers in traditional attire with drums and elaborate horned headgear at a cultural event during the RAHI field visit — A traditional tribal performance — a powerful reminder of the region's rich cultural heritage

RAHI team distributing food and essentials to a community member during the field visit — Service in action — reaching families with care and respect

Grateful to the RAHI team, our partners, and the communities who continue to inspire us. Every visit reinforces the conviction that this work is not just necessary — it is a privilege.

A Beautiful Way to End the Journey

And what better way to close a journey through Chhattisgarh than at Chitrakoot Falls — the magnificent "Niagara of India." A moment of stillness after days of deep engagement, and a reminder that nature's generosity, like the generosity of the communities we serve, is boundless.