An NGO's effort to make health is wealth for children

‘Health is wealth’ is a familiar phrase and it becomes even more important with respect to children. The first five years of a child is considered to be the most crucial growth phase as a significant amount of development and learning happens during these formative years. And, an important aspect that promotes healthy growth is consumption of nutritious diet. Nutrition improves cognitive functioning, appropriate physical development, maintains energy levels, and provides enhanced immunity against infections and diseases. And, there is enough evidence to establish the relationship between nutrition, health, and learning.

So that every child receives the best of nutrition, many NGOs have taken it up as their core cause to provide wholesome meals to children mainly targeting the lower socio-economic strata of the society. One such NGO for children in India is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Established in June 2000, this NGO implements the Mid-Day Meal Programme in government schools across the country with the vision ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger’. For the past 17 years, the Foundation has been tirelessly working towards providing freshly cooked, nutritious school lunch to school children so that children continue schooling and at the same time benefit from the programme health-wise. Before talking further about this NGO and its work towards promoting health and education, here is a list of reasons that explains the significance of investing in nutrition, health, and education of children:

Thus, it is evident that nutrition, health, and education become critically important during the growth years of children.

Well, heeding to the above-mentioned aspects of nutrition and health, Akshaya Patra, the NGO for children strives to provide ‘unlimited food for education’. In order to maximise the benefit of the Mid-Day Meal Programme, Akshaya Patra operates to formats of kitchen facility – centralised kitchen to provide school lunch in urban and semi-urban areas, and decentralised kitchens to provide school lunch in remote areas. To ensure meals are nutritious, the NGO employs various quality measures in its operations – right from procurement of raw materials to delivering the cooked meals. Raw materials are procured based on Supplier Quality Management System and are inspected as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). All the kitchens follow the FIFO (First In First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) methods while issuing the raw material for production. Washed and sterilised vessels and tools are used for cutting, cooking and transporting food. All employees are trained in good hygiene practices and food safety measures. It is mandatory for each member in the kitchen to follow the hygiene chart comprising of daily shower, use of clean uniforms, head caps, face masks to cover the mouth and nose area, hand gloves, gumboots, other protective gears and hand sanitisation. Cooked food is transported in insulated vehicles to retain the freshness and quality of meals. Continual Improvement Projects, Six Sigma methodologies, 5S, GMP, Lean and Kaizen are some of the process improvement methods implemented across all kitchens.

This charitable trust understands the value of each penny and hence on an average, 92% of the total donation is used towards meeting the programme cost and 8% towards the programme management cost. Such effective management of funds and operations has led the Foundation to grow steadily over the years. From feeding just 1,500 children in five government schools of Bengaluru in 2000, Akshaya Patra has expanded its reach to more than 1.7 million children across 12 states of India. It has impacted young lives with wholesome meals on every school day. So, even though Akshaya Patra is a mid-day meal NGO, it wouldn’t be wrong to say donate for education in India because its service of 17 years has been instrumental in bringing children to school and empowering them with education.

In a nutshell, to create a healthy society, we must focus on the health of children. And, to create a prosperous society, we must focus on the education of children. Only healthy children can contribute to the socio-economic growth of themselves and the society.

How right food matters for studies during exam?

It would not be wrong to say that exam fear has been in trend since time immemorial, and surprisingly it has remained unchanged! Doesn’t matter how brilliant a student is, exam time injects the fear in one and all. Even after attending motivational speeches, listening to loads of advice, and sitting through presentations on how to tackle exam tension, each and every child undergoes some degree of mental stress resulting in nervousness, blackout, panic, palpitation, and mood swings. Often times these changes also lead to eating disorder during exams. Some children may reduce their food intake, whereas others may consume twice or thrice their regular diet. Though unintentionally, but dietary change further disturbs the bodily equilibrium. So, it becomes imperative to maintain a good diet during exams, no matter how tensed the child is. Just like how the charity for children, The Akshaya Patra Foundation maintains the nutrition level in all their meals, no matter what is the menu and which location it is being served at.

Being cognizant of the core role of NGOs in the mid-day meal sector, Akshaya Patra ensures that through its school lunch programme it meets the main objectives of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, i.e.:

• avoid classroom hunger
• increase school enrolment
• increase school attendance
• improve socialisation among castes
• address malnutrition
• empower women through employment

This charity for children understands the importance of right nutritional balance for the proper growth and development of children. Over the 17 years of serving mid-day meals, the NGO has also witnessed the positive impact of a well-balanced diet on the level of concentration, health, and activeness among children. Hence, a meticulous and detailed menu is designed by including variety of items in the meal menu while adhering to the nutritional and dietary norms stated by the Central Mid-Day Meal Scheme. In addition, each kitchen of Akshaya Patra complies with standard operational processes and maintains utmost cleanliness and hygiene while preparing and delivering cooked meals.

Not just with regards to mid-day meal, but meals at home must be well-balanced too. Here are some quick tips about healthy eating during exams:
• Smart snack at regular intervals – Instead of forcing down food during three big meals, it is wise to take breaks for small meals at regular intervals. Children must snack smartly by including items such as fruits, toast spread with peanut butter, vegetable sandwich, fresh juice, etc.
• Choose real instead of supplementary – Dietary supplements may sound convenient and good, but real food is always better. Hence, peeling an orange for Vitamin C is more beneficial than opening a pill case. Eating fresh fruits and salad vegetables will provide children with all the required nutrients like iron, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, protein, calcium, beta-carotene, antioxidants, fibre, and much more.
• Drink water – It is very important to keep the body hydrated else it may lead to fatigue and lack of ability to focus. Hence, drinking lots of water and fluid intake such as fresh juices, and milk becomes a must.

As a process of self-evaluation, Akshaya Patra at regular intervals conducts impact studies in partnership with third-party evaluators. These impact studies also bring to fore the important role of NGOs and the impact they are creating in general along with Akshaya Patra’s contribution in particular. In one such study conducted by Sigma Research and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. titled as ‘Assessment of mid-day meal programme in 8 states 2014’ states that the mid-day meals provided by Akshaya Patra fulfilled the recommended nutritional requirements while also being healthy and hygienic.

Well, as the exam begins in private schools so it begins in government schools too. And, interestingly the intention of students in both private and government schools is the same – to score good marks and come out in flying colours. Hence, support the cause of Akshaya Patra because by contributing towards mid-day meal you will indirectly donate for education in India too. So, contribute today and help children to receive adequate nutrition for this exam season and beyond.

Fight Classroom Hunger, but the right way

Fighting malnutrition, especially among children, is now a challenge that transcends all classes of society and regions. But, a significant proportion of school-going children in India now need not worry as they are now able to escape the scourge of hunger and malnutrition, thanks to the efforts of The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

The food supplied from the 34 kitchens of Akshaya Patra across the country is not merely cooked to fill the stomachs, but it is a wholesome balanced meal that supplies all the necessary nutrition. The food that the children get in their mid-day meals are fortified with the required nutrients necessary for both physical and mental development of children. The food is fortified with nutrients like vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin D, folic acid, iodine and iron. Food fortification is done to decrease the occurrence of nutrient deficiencies. It is extremely important for children in their growing years to get these nutrients in their food.

You could play a role in this endeavour by donating for education in India and ensuring that children from across the country benefit, both in terms of their dietary needs as well as their educational needs.

Philosophies driving the kitchens

With its primary aim to supply high quality and safe food from its 34 kitchens, Akshaya Patra has introduced various metrics in every area of its operations and service delivery. It has partnered with different organisations to review the quality of its mid-day meals prepared and served to more than 1.6 million children every day. To maintain the quality of the meal, it has standardised the recipes.

Say Kaizen and 5S, the Japanese business philosophies, and the ones that come into your mind would be corporate majors like Toyota. But, it's part and parcel of Akshaya Patra's kitchen operations. To improve the quality standards, Japanese management technique of Kaizen and 5S, the method of workplace organisation that uses five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. They describe ways to organise a workspace for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used. With the Foundation focused on Employee Health and Safety too, it holds activities to increase the hygiene standards and improve safety and health.

A top NGO like Akshaya Patra which has the wherewithal to ensure the food is balanced, can be trusted in ensuring that the children get the right kind of meals. A meal that is not well-balanced would result in children growing up malnourished. A food without the micro-nutrients would affect the mental development of children too and its impact would be visible in adulthood.

Keeping Children healthy

With the government having so many things to focus on, NGOs have a role in ensuring that the ills caused by unhealthy foods are taught to children and their parents to ensure they get the right kind of food.

The Foundation, over the last 17 years, has been continuously trying to reach as many children as possible. Today it feeds over 1.6 million children across 12 states in the country.

Human Rights Day is Integral to Akshaya Patra

It is important that children enjoy their life to the fullest. It's their birth right, no less than their human right. To enjoy their life to the fullest, it is essential that they are educated.

Education helps them develop the skills and also helps them prepare mentally to gain the most from life. But, this can’t be done with an empty stomach. Because education and food goes hand-in-hand. They need a full stomach meal to develop physical strength as well as to grow mentally. This will help them deal with the challenges in life with ease.

While nutritious food is a necessity, it is a luxury for many. One could donate for education in India by supporting NGO’s like The Akshaya Patra Foundation. This can ensure that your donation is used for the right cause. This way, you along with the NGO, can ensure that the rights of the children are being met.

Rights Protected

On December 10 every year, people around the world celebrate Human Rights Day. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is the first global statement of international human rights principles on December 10, 1948.

The day holds importance for those who play a major role in ensuring that all sections of people are able to enjoy a minimal quantum of rights day in and day out. Be it the governments or the NGOs, all play their respective roles to ensure human rights are not violated and are, instead, defended.

It was about 70 years ago that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made. Since then, many nations have been in the forefront of the efforts to ensure that human rights are not violated, either of their own people or even of people of other nations.

Right to Food

The right to food is recognised in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) as part of the right to an adequate standard of living, and is enshrined in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Article 11).

An NGO like Akshaya Patra, which is considered one of the top NGOs and many others ensure that basic rights of people such as their Right to Food are not violated. From its 34 kitchens in India, the Foundation has been serving nutritious school lunch to over 1.6 million children across the country. This has helped in success of many children who are now able to dream high in life.

It is crucial that non-partisan groups are able to ensure that the rights of children, in particular, are defended. On this World Human Rights Day it's necessary to remember and to remind everyone of the need to and the importance of human rights. It is crucial for the NGOs to play a role in India towards meeting the commitments made on the UN Human Rights Day.

You can also join the cause by making a contribution towards eradicating classroom hunger. Make a donation today.

How important is education for the future?

In this age of information overload, there’s little that we are grasping. All the more reason that education should be emphasised upon now. Education is the knowledge of implementing information at the right place.

Schools in India have now come a long way since independence. The government today is ensuring that education is being imparted through aanganwadis, schools, midnight schools and so on. For a majority of the population, it’s formal education that can help them get where they wish to be. Hence, its importance cannot be overlooked. 

A major role of NGOs such as Akshaya Patra today is played out in the field of education, simply because it really is the foundation of the future. So if there’s a cause that you want to back up today or engage in a fundraising campaign online, you should pick education and choose to donate for education in India. 

Education paves way for choices 

Unless children are given equal opportunities of education, they will never learn about the various streams and avenues that could open up for them. Our future society needs skilled and educated professionals in every vocation. We need doctors, engineers, mechanics, teachers, nurses, writers, technicians, photographers, artists, dancers, actors and more. 

Education exposes children to the outside world 

Manthan Jikadra, a beneficiary of the mid-day meal scheme run by Akshaya Patra, is a Class VI student from Surat. He diligently attends school and loves to explore the subjects being taught. He regularly participates in cultural activities and has ambitions of becoming an entertainer when he grows up. This is an example of how schools can become a level playing field for children to see the outside world through various means of education. Often the choices and passions children take up in school become their means of earning a livelihood in future. 

Education broadens perspectives 

A future society cannot be founded on evils such as racism, corruption, malice or intolerance. How will future citizens know and learn to respect each other? Through education, children learn to co-exist, share and encourage each other. These qualities don’t come easy and cannot be inculcated overnight. These are often rooted deeply in our upbringing and culture. Education involves learning of various streams, development of mental faculties and exploring information from around the world. This helps children broaden their perspectives. When this happens, we can hope of building a society that treats everyone equally.

An organisation such as Akshaya Patra is working tirelessly to get children to attend schools because education is a cause worth investing in. Through its service of providing a wholesome lunch to children in Government schools, the role of Akshaya Patra as an NGO is to advance the cause of Food for Education. You may choose to back this up through online fundraising campaigns for the organisation or simply by donating for education in India through the online medium.

Some fundraising ideas that you can actually try for the cause of education

There’s greater joy in giving than receiving. And if this giving is directed towards education in India, you are practically building a more literate nation. What if this giving helps in sending children back to school? There are fun ways you can indulge in fundraising for organisations such as Akshaya Patra who are on a mission to bring children back to school.

What are those ideas?

Selling handmade cards/bookmarks 

Gather children in your area to create interesting cartoons, drawings or paintings related to school life under the theme ‘Back to school’.  Explain the concept of how many children drop out of school in India due to lack of resources and how they need to be sent back to school. Let the children use their imagination and create cards, posters and bookmarks. Organise a small sale in your area, school or college. Let the children do the selling. You can use these proceeds to sponsor a child at Akshaya Patra.

Book exchange

Students in school or colleges or even working executives can be invited on Facebook to exchange their books. Keep a nominal fee to enter the exchange programme. Inspire people to give away their unused or read books that they don’t wish to keep anymore apart from exchanging. Organise a fun gathering at your school, college or office to exchange the books. Ask each participant to ‘sell’ his or her book counting the merits of reading it so others are inspired to exchange their books. Use the proceeds to indulge in donating for education in India. Enlighten the participants that the proceeds would go for the cause of sending Indian children back to school.

Online fundraising campaigns

Today a thoughtfully created online poster for a good cause evokes real emotions since browsing online is the second nature of the millennial generation. Use the power of online media to create online fundraising campaigns for Akshaya Patra. Since the organisation provides wholesome lunch to school children to bring them to school, you can create campaigns around nutrition and education. Outline that by donating for education in India, participants are helping NGOs in India play a more impactful role in the field. It’s easier to create online fundraising campaigns and if done smartly, they can raise a significant amount of funds for the cause.

Garage sale

You can simply organise a garage sale in your office or colony and ask people to donate things from their school or college time. Ask participants to not only donate an item but also buy items that are priced at nominal rates. It could be a stereo, old books or unused notebooks, old bicycle, etc. Share with participants that the proceeds of this sale would be donated for education in India so more children could be incentivised to go back to school this year.

The role of citizens towards the cause of education is as big as the role of NGOs. You can be part of the great mission of sending children to school by creating your own online fundraising campaign.

Role of NGOs in India in Solving Hunger

Hunger - an epidemic situation among the low-income groups in this world. Hunger – a life threatening situation for everyone especially children.

There are so many food items out there in abundance which will never teach us the real meaning of hunger. Every four hours, we snack on something or probably have full meal to avoid hunger. But there are millions of children out there who struggle for a single meal in a day. We know of many children who are often undernourished as they struggle to get one-time meal during the day. These are also the same children who have no access or inclination towards education.

There are many organisations in India that are playing the role of NGOs and have been trying to address hunger issues. These NGOs act as a channel for people like us to reach out to those in need. One of the leading names is Akshaya Patra that successfully combined food and education wisely so as to reach more and more children with the two basic necessities of life.  The NGO headquartered in Bangalore provides mid- day meals to the children in schools to help them grow and learn with a nutritious diet.

The real meaning of hunger 

Most people associate hunger with quenching the physical need of food. Often when we are hungry, we invariably say – do you have something to eat? We are often vague about food. The only time we truly care about the ingredients of food is while feeding children. The real meaning of hunger for a child differs, and it should. For a child, hunger would mean deprivation of a meal that is instrumental in his physical and mental growth.

Similarly, children have a hunger for their dreams and things that they want. Children have an inherent hunger for knowledge and education. They are curious and wish to quench their thirst for knowledge. The role of NGOs in India thus becomes bigger when it comes to dealing with children’s meal and education issues. Akshaya Patra continues to reach out to millions of children to transform their lives. Also, their work is completely transparent and they make all their information available to public. The organisation strives to quench both physical and mental hunger of children with its mission ‘Food for Education’. When the children get the motivation of a one-time but nutritious meal, they are motivated to come to school. Similarly, parents send all their children to school since they have an assurance that the kids would be fed apart from getting education. This is a progressive model of combining the two missions together which is invariably intertwined. 

Sitting in our offices or comfortable homes, least we can do to help the NGOs such as this by giving what we can. Donating for education in India, especially because it involves supporting the backbone of our country’s future is our contribution to a better society.  All of us do wish to be a part of some noble activity, but our time or job constraints don’t allow us to do so. So here’s our chance to be the game changer in the fight against hunger. All we need to do is make a generous donation to Akshaya Patra and provide children ‘Unlimited Food for Education’. 

Donate today and win tax exemption!

Education is Everybody’s Right

On one particular day in 1948, during the aftermath of World War II, United Nations (UN) set a milestone. The UN published Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a set of fundaments that provide equal opportunity for all – that were to be followed by all nations and all people. On this historic day, a decision was made which would help countries achieve peace in many aspects. About 48 countries, including India, voted in favour of the declaration. Here’s Akshaya Patra’s message on Human Rights Day observed across the globe.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, children’s charity in India, would like to particularly focus on Article 26 of Universal Declaration which declares education as a right. This children’s NGO began its programme to feed the hungry children in schools (students of government and government-aided schools) to encourage them to continue education. As a trust, the organisation focuses on two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger and Quality Education.

In India, the National Human Rights Commission put forth its covenants only by the end of 20th century; more than 40 years after UN declared human rights articles. Today, these clauses are the voices of many whose lives are not liberated; trapped by unemployment, low or zero income, and other socio-economic issues. Akshaya Patra, with a vision that no child should be deprived of education because of hunger, strengthens many such families by providing mid-day meals to their children. 

Education is everybody’s right - Article 26 in Universal Declaration states:

• Everyone has the right to education
• Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages
• Elementary education shall be compulsory

As it states, India - a developing nation, dreams of achieving 100% literacy rate in the coming years. But to achieve this, many NGOs alike and citizens must come forward to build a nation in a sustainable manner.

Mid-day meal by Akshaya Patra is a promise for every student that they will not sit in a classroom with an empty stomach. Hunger or half-hunger has made many children resort to other choices. But they deserve to be given a fair chance to study and be successful. These children have dreams – to be a doctor, to be a police officer, to be a teacher and many more. Supporting these dreams through education and nutritious mid-day meals will help them achieve their dreams.

Today, as we draw closer to Human Rights Day, let us stand up for someone’s rights. Together, we can achieve peace, development, and universal education. Sponsor a child today to gift them an uninterrupted education. You can also choose to donate for education in India and support a child’s dream.

The Different Techniques to Ensure Children Enjoy School

Children change their minds more quickly than grown-ups. One moment, they have an urge to play, another moment, they want to eat something specific. What’s the key to keep them motivated for school without repelling them from certain subjects? At Akshaya Patra, an NGO in India, we have first-hand experience of coping with this during the Mid-day Meal Programme run in schools in collaboration with the government.  Here’s what we have tried and tested over the years. We are happy to share this little piece of wisdom with parents who often struggle to send their kids to school.  

Fun enforcement or no enforcement 

Make sure that you learn to bite your tongue when children refrain from going to school. While it’s good to hear their reasons, you must also be able to tell when a child is only playing you. Count the things your child loves about school. It could be friends or a games period or a drawing class. If you really know what your kid is interested in, you will know what to say when sending them off to school. For instance, reward your children when they agree to go to school without tantrums. At Akshaya Patra, we encourage children to come to school so they have nutritious meals. Our sponsors who often donate for education in India find it fascinating how our volunteers and staff keep the children always excited for mid-day meals in schools.

Appreciation

Children have a forgiving heart and so they won’t hold a grudge that you sent them to school without their will. Most likely, they will not even remember it. So make sure you develop a habit of praising your child for any big or small achievement in class. Always be a proud parent and get your kids interested in extra-curricular activities. 

Plan sumptuous lunch

We have seen mothers who would cook sumptuous and nutritious lunch as a motivating factor for the children to eat during school. Akshaya Patra’s Mid-day Meal Programme in schools ensures that the lunch served is full of vegetables, proteins, dairy, grains, oils and nutrients. Just the whole excitement of opening the lunch box during school often gets children excited about school. 

Assure help in homework

Often children find school dreary and a burden due to the homework. They often feel overwhelmed and scared. Always be the parent who makes homework a team activity. Ensure you are always around to guide, instruct and help the child as he or she sits down for homework. That would assure the child of an ever-present help and would motivate them to look forward to school. 

Akshaya Patra is an NGO in India that has been running Mid-Day Meals Programme in schools since 2000. One of our biggest lessons during this programme over the years has been that children need motivation at every step in their lives. As for the Mid-Day Meal Programme, the organisation is working towards building a sustainable network of kitchens to reach five million children by 2020. If you are someone who is considering donating for education in India, you are welcome to join our mission.