In 2012, Kukudsath village in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, was grappling with poor sanitation, irregular healthcare, and rising illness. Today, it stands as a model for rural transformation. The community’s achievement has been recognised with honours like the Smart Village Award, Santh Gadge Baba Gram Swacchata Puraskar and Mazi Vasundhra Abhiyan - Nagpur Division.

This shift didn’t happen overnight. It was built layer by layer— through persistent effort, community leadership, and the steadfast support of Ambuja Foundation. Five key pillars shaped Kukudsath’s road to a healthier future:

1. Mobile Medical Vans & Camps Bridge the Gap – Like many rural villages, Kukudsath lacked reliable local health services. Government mobile medical vans were irregular and often left before all patients were examined. Ambuja Foundation stepped in with regular medical camps and mobile vans equipped with doctors, diagnostics, and essential medicines – bringing healthcare to villagers’ doorsteps and paving the way for a more permanent solution.

2. Sakhi, the Health Messenger – Local women were trained as Sakhis – health advocates, trusted with promoting hygiene, nutrition, maternal health, and managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Their door-to-door visits built awareness, debunked health myths, and connected the community to services.

3. WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) - The First Breakthrough – Hygiene begins at home - with toilets. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Sakhis mobilised villagers through night meetings, videos, and sanitation drives and in 2013 Kukudsath achieved 100% open defecation-free (ODF) status. Public toilets, community hand washing station, closed drainage systems including soak pits at household level and clean drinking water systems were introduced — laying thefoundation for a cleaner, safer village.

4. Environmental Health & Waste System – Kukudsath set up a community waste disposal and garbage collection unit. Wet waste was composted, and seperate plastic and dry waste collection setup, segregated and resold, and the rest safely discarded. This decentralised model improved public hygiene and built environmental awareness, making waste disposal sustainable and community-led.

5. Community Clinic - A Dream Realised – With Ambuja Foundation’s support, the Village Development Committee renovated an unused building into a community clinic that is open every Saturday, offering affordable care — Rs.10 for consultations, free BP checks, Rs.30 for sugar tests, and 50% subsidized medicines. A local health committee manages operations and plans to soon add electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests.

Kukudsath’s journey shows the myriad possibilities that emerge when villagers, panchayats, and NGOs work together. Layer by layer, they tackled interconnected issues, highlighting that rural health solutions must be comprehensive and community-driven. “Looking at what we’ve achieved, we have many plans ahead.” Shankar Baburao Atram, Sarpanch, Kukudsath.