Food for Education - Hope for a Better Future

Picture this. What if every child in India attends school knowing that he or she will receive both food and education? Akshaya Patra, an NGO in India, is enabling children to attend school by placing an adequate resource – mid-day meals. However, the number of children who need this support in India are too many to graph.

 

The population of undernourished children in the world is around 795 million, 40% of which live in India. The population of unread in India is around 287 million. And the rate of hunger is directly proportionate to the rate of illiteracy. The numbers truly seem indigestible as there is no denial to the fact that the world has changed enough and with all the advanced amenities, lives have become simpler than ever before. But, the three basic necessities will not change: food, shelter and clothes. Unfortunately, 76 million people in India do not have access to these basic necessities. Thus, with a large group of hungry population, India lags behind the rest of the world. The only solution to this pressing problem is to address the problems of food and education together. Food for education by Akshaya Patra (with a varied mid-day meal menu) is undoubtedly one of the solutions which will also contribute to Sustainable Development Goals – to eradicate global hunger by 2030.

 

Food for Education Initiative

Apart from the role of the government and NGOs role in India, there are people who contribute to this endeavour. In order to promote education, bring children to schools, lessen the number of absentees due to poor health and hunger, there is a need to add social responsibility in our stereotype lifestyle. Akshaya Patra, an NGO in India is on a mission to eradicate classroom hunger by providing Mid-Day Meals in government schools and government aided schools, in active collaboration with the government. The Foundation not only works to feed children but to also ensure their proper growth and a sound mind. The mission ensures that children deprived of education due to lack of food. The NGO functions in 11 states of India and reaches out with its wholesome meal to more than 1.6 million children in government schools. The NGO gets support from the government and raises funds alongside corporates and philanthropic donors.

 

Menu of Mid-Day Meal

 

NGOs role in India towards eradication hunger is crucial. That’s when Akshaya Patra attempts to connect entities like government, citizens, corporates, and enthusiasts together in order to contribute towards a single goal. The team members are indeed passionate about delivering food to classrooms, along with being meticulous about hygiene and nutrition in our kitchens. The Mid-Day Meal menu for children has been planned as per taste, variety and nutrition required for a child’s proper physical and mental growth.  The Foundation has also created the menu to suit the regional taste - rice for schools in South India and rotis in North India.

  

A story of hope

 

Savita and Maunesh, two children from Bengaluru share how Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal distribution changed their lives and made it meaningful with education. Maunesh says the food was his motivation for attending school regularly. Both the children were the first members from their family to attend school.  Their parents who were farmers were forced to leave their village owing to a calamity. Savita wants to become a psychologist whereas Maunesh wishes to be a lawyer. They have passed their Class X exams and have moved to college. This way, by serving food for education, Akshaya Patra directly affects millions of lives every day.

You can become a part of food for education mission too. There are millions of ambitious children, who need food and education. It’s easy to contribute by donating online. Act today.