Real change often begins with a single decision: to reflect on one's actions, take responsibility, and choose a different path.

Across India, World Vision India's Men Care programme encourages men to challenge harmful behaviours, build healthier family relationships, and become positive influences in their communities. The programme demonstrates how personal transformation can create opportunities for women and children while strengthening families.

The journeys of Shahbub Hasan in Bihar, Adabala Yesu in Andhra Pradesh, and men in Agra reveal how changing everyday habits and attitudes can create a lasting impact.

Shahbub Hasan: Choosing Family Over Alcohol

In Bhojpur, Bihar, Shahbub Hasan worked as a daily wage labourer and struggled with alcohol addiction. Much of his income went towards alcohol, leaving little money for household expenses. His wife and five children often faced uncertainty about their basic needs, and family relationships became increasingly strained.

His turning point came when he participated in Men Care training sessions. These sessions encouraged him to reflect on his responsibilities as a husband and father and understand how his choices affected his family.

Gradually, Shahbub committed to giving up alcohol. He began saving money, rebuilding trust at home, and prioritising his children's future.

One of his proudest moments came when he watched his daughters participate in a football championship. Seeing them pursue their interests helped reinforce his belief that girls deserve the same opportunities as boys.

"Today I am proud of them. They are no less than boys."

Shahbub's journey represents more than a change in personal habits. It shows how a father's support can help children grow up with greater encouragement and opportunity.

Supporting education for poor children means creating an environment where families value learning and girls are encouraged to pursue their ambitions. When parents become active supporters of their children's futures, the benefits can extend across generations.

Adabala Yesu: Rebuilding a Family's Future

In a village in Andhra Pradesh, Adabala Yesu earned between ₹300 and ₹400 a day. Despite working hard to support his family, much of his income was spent on alcohol, sometimes leaving the household struggling to afford basic necessities.

After joining Men Care sessions in 2017, Yesu began understanding how his spending habits affected his family's financial security.

Change did not happen overnight. By controlling his spending and saving consistently, he gradually improved his family's circumstances. With support from a government housing scheme, he was eventually able to build a home for his family.

His daughters now attend school regularly, and the family enjoys greater stability.

For Yesu, the most meaningful outcome was that his transformation inspired others.

"I have shared my experience with my friends and am happy to say that two of them have stopped consuming alcohol."

His experience highlights how individual change can influence friends, neighbours, and the wider community. When men take responsibility for their actions and household needs, families may have more opportunities to improve their living conditions and invest in their children's development.

For vulnerable households, these changes can contribute to sustainable community development, where improved family wellbeing supports stronger communities over time.

From Individual Change to Community Action in Agra

In a village in Agra, the impact of Men Care extended beyond individual families. Men participating in the programme came together to address challenges affecting their community.

They collectively decided that alcohol would no longer be permitted at weddings or community gatherings. They also supported girls' education, encouraged household sanitation, and advocated for safer environments for women and children.

Their efforts demonstrate how conversations about personal responsibility can develop into collective action.

Community-led initiatives can create positive change in several ways:

• Promoting gender equality: Men can challenge discriminatory beliefs and encourage equal opportunities for girls and women.

• Building safer environments: Communities can work together to discourage harmful behaviours and support respectful relationships.

• Improving family wellbeing: Responsible spending and greater attention to children's needs can help families prioritise education, health, and essential expenses.

These efforts complement the work of women empowerment initiatives led by NGOs in India, which support women's participation, independence, and opportunities. When men actively support these goals, the responsibility for achieving gender equality becomes shared.

The Wider Impact of Men Care

The experiences of Shahbub Hasan, Adabala Yesu, and participating men in Agra reflect the potential of community-based programmes to influence behaviour and relationships.

An endline evaluation conducted between 2016 and 2020 across 27 programme locations reported improvements in school enrolment and retention, women's participation in Self-Help Groups, family relationships, and community engagement.

These outcomes are important because the effects of harmful behaviour often reach far beyond the individual. Children may experience financial insecurity, women may carry greater household responsibilities, and families may struggle to plan for the future.

Programmes that encourage reflection, responsibility, and respect can help address some of these challenges.

Organisations working as a child welfare NGO can contribute to this broader effort by supporting families and communities in creating safer, more nurturing environments for children. This includes encouraging fathers to participate in their children's lives, supporting girls' education, and promoting respectful relationships at home.

Such efforts also strengthen healthcare for children in India and broaden child wellbeing initiatives by recognising that children's development depends not only on access to services but also on the support and stability they experience within their families.

Small Decisions Can Create Lasting Change

The stories of these three men offer an important reminder: meaningful transformation often begins with everyday decisions.

A father chooses to save money for his children's education. A husband recognises the impact of his behaviour on his family. A group of men decides to challenge harmful practices in their community.

Each decision can influence others and encourage further change.

Families, community leaders, and organisations can help sustain this progress by promoting:

• Open conversations about responsible behaviour and family relationships.

• Greater involvement of fathers in childcare and education.

• Community efforts that challenge violence, discrimination, and harmful social expectations.

These actions may appear simple, but their combined impact can help children grow up in safer and more supportive environments.

Final Thoughts

Shahbub Hasan, Adabala Yesu, and the men in Agra demonstrate that change is possible when individuals are willing to reflect, take responsibility, and act differently.

Their stories are not simply about overcoming alcohol dependency or changing household habits. They are about rebuilding trust, supporting daughters, strengthening families, and inspiring others to follow a better path.

Through its Men Care programme, World Vision India highlights the importance of engaging men as partners in creating positive social change.

When men choose responsibility over harmful habits, equality over discrimination, and care over control, the benefits reach beyond their own lives. Families become stronger, children gain greater opportunities, and communities take meaningful steps towards a safer and more equal future.