AARAMBH

2007 INITIATIVE - MID-DAY MEALS FOR KIDS

We work in some communities where the adults are often uneducated and unskilled.  As a
result, these adults are employed in jobs that require long hours of hard physical labor,
such as in stone quarries and on construction sites.  At the end of a long hard day, the
parents bring home Rs. 75 to Rs. 100 (US$ 2 to US$ 3) a day.  During the long hours when
the parents are away at work, their children are left to take care and fend for
themselves.  In studying this particular problem, AARAMBH’s caseworkers found that
children over the age of 12 are generally capable of preparing simple meals to feed
themselves and their younger siblings while their parents are away at work.  Children
younger than 12 however, remain hungry the entire day until their parents return home in
the late evening to buy food and prepare a meal.  Within the communities that AARAMBH
serves, we have identified 300 to 350 young children who suffer this plight on a daily
basis.  So we’ve decided to step in and help.

In early 2007, we allotted some of our funds from local donors to purchase fresh foods,
and have appointed a local individual to prepare a simple mid-day meal for these children.
Due to our limited funds, AARAMBH’s program presently covers the youngest 125
children of the community most of whom area less than 10 years old.  By the end of 2007,
we are keen to expand this program to cover a total of 200 children.  At the present
level (125 children), the program costs approximately Rs. 36,000 (US$ 900) per year.  
As we expand the program to cover 200 children, we estimate that our costs will rise to
approximately Rs. 60,000 (US$ 1,500) per year.

This program has had some very positive impacts on the children.  They appear better
fed and nourished, and their attendance in school has improved significantly.  As an
added benefit, the person who prepares the daily meals earns a nominal monthly salary
to help support her family.