Save a child from hunger by Purkal Youth Development Society

In the wake of COVID-19, our immediate focus was the well-being of our students. The pandemic brought in a lot of challenges and difficult situations for all of them. The parents are either working as casual labors, carpenters, drivers, or run small tea points. Many of them lost their jobs and depended on dry ration provided by the government for their round square meals which is not the only need of a family. While helping families with COVID relief, we set out few rules for identification of Beneficiaries. We also ensured the following:

1. During the lockdown staff members personally reached out to the students and made sure that they are keeping well emotionally and not sleeping hungry.
2. After the lockdown, we adopted a structured approach by involving teachers and enabling their interaction with families of students.
3. Since the need of the family could vary and a relief kit might not suffice to the requirement of all students, a team led by staff volunteers initiated phone surveys to understand the exact need. Based on this survey, families were separately identified for mobile recharge and refilling LPG cylinders.

We have been able to distribute 199 relief kits to 112 families for the period of April–November. We have also expanded our reach to remote and far of places like Thatyur, a village in the northwest of Mussoorie, approximately 80-km away from PYDS. A team of volunteers has already delivered the essentials to three needy families there. This opportunity was also used to deliver a smartphone to Pinky and Khushi Bandhani. They were not able to attend online classes because of the unavailability of a phone. Going forward we aim to support more families during this time of difficulty Click on the video link to watch a short video on our COVID-19 effort

Empty bellies never make for wise minds

We serve approximately 1350 meals a day for our children. We ensure high nutritional value and hygiene in every meal we serve. A mix of diced cucumber, carrot, beetroot and radish is served as a salad with lunch. All children are also fed fruits rich in vitamins and natural sugars. We recently bought an electric griddle. This added more variety to our menu as we have introduced items like Parantha, Dosa, Uttapam, etc. We have also made slight adjustments like moving gas cylinders outside the kitchen thus ensuring a safer and more spacious cooking area. We also acquired partition plates in order to serve more items in a meal.  

Program Update

The quarter started with the winter break, and some groups of children went on excursions across different states. They stayed in simple accommodations, ate well, and excitedly explored the many monuments and sites, enjoying the diverse culture of our country. Children who stayed back with us in the Hostel enjoyed their meals and milk every day. After the school reopened, all beneficiaries continued to be provided nutritious food. They ate sewai, poha, dalia, halwa, kheer, etc. during breakfast. Lunch comprised of seasonal vegetables, legumes and cereals served with chapatis (Indian bread), rice and salads. To ensure a good intake of sugars and minerals, winter fruits like papayas, bananas, grapes, etc. were also fed to each child.

Story from the field

Divyansh recently underwent pyeloplasty as he had a congenital problem with his left kidney and about 70% had already been destroyed. Fortunately, the doctors identified the seriousness of this condition after a minor injury, and he was admitted in the hospital for a week. His left kidney was surgically treated and has now recovered to the extent of about 10%. He resumed his classroom studies but was advised not to participate in sports and games. In time, all his learning gaps were cleared and, naughty as kids are, teachers had to keep reminding him not to do any physical activities due to his surgery. His class teacher, Miss Latika helped him cope with his studies as the final exams approached in March. Classmates helped him with their notes and he received extra help to practice mathematics. Before the final exams, the pipe placed in his kidney for blood circulation was removed. His next appointment is in May, for an X-ray and check-up. With regular nutritious food and our promise of providing blanket healthcare to all children in our care, Divyansh is now a happy kid promoted to class 4. He is doing well and happily participates in sports and games.

What is the expected total number of beneficiaries in this program for FY18-19?	531
What is the number of beneficiaries/ benefits provided in this program, Year-To-Date	69
Village/City/State where project is located	Uttarakhand
Total Budget for the project for FY18-19	5148000
Total Expenses for the project YTD	3324461

Program Update

A new academic session started in early April and we took in more beneficiaries under our care. Over the year, we are operational for 270 days during which all children enjoy 3 meals a day inclusive of breakfast, a balanced start to the day comprising of sewai, poha, dalia, halwa, kheer, etc. Lunch includes leafy green vegetables, legumes and cereals served with rotis (Indian bread) and rice. A mix of diced cucumber, carrot, beetroot and raddish are served as salad with lunch. All children are also fed fruits rich in vitamins and natural sugars.

Over the years we have seen the impact that dietary nourishment makes to a child's development. Coming from homes where resources are weak, most children suffer from nutritional deficiencies when they come under our care. Along with vaccinations and preventive treatment over the course of their first year with us, we also ensure children learn good eating habits. With this we have observed that after a year with us, children's BMIs, blood quality and overall physical and mental stamina improve.

Story from the field

Sneha's father migrated to Dehradun over 25 years ago from Rasoolpur in Uttar Pradesh. Uneducated, he works as an amateur electrician with fluctuating income. The family lives in quarters provided by the house-owner where Sneha's mother performs household chores.

Arpita stays with her family in Purkal Village close to the school campus. Her father, having studied only till class 12th (high school), has worked a variety of assistant jobs to make ends meet. Arpita's mother contributes to the family's income with her wages earned at Stree Shakti, a sister Society that empowers women through skill and entrepreneurial training.

Both girls came to us over 8 years ago, shy and weak. Today we can see the benefits that the nutrition programme has had on them. Sneha speaks confidently and with great expression. She is a great actor and loves to mimic or tease her fellow classmates. Arpita is a gifted and energetic girl. Her dance teacher says that she is one of the best dancers in class, often adding her own style to the steps.

Now in class 7th, these two best friends are promising students of the School, always eager to help others. Their favourite meal is rajma chawal (red beans in Indian curry + rice).

Expected total number of beneficiaries in this program for FY18-19	515
Number of beneficiaries/ benefits provided in this program this year	609