Impact of the Power of Poshan through the Morning Nutrition Program, Sept 12th 2024
A handful of children from a slum village enjoying their morning breakfast. Gathered under the open sky, seated in front of a closed temple near a water tank, surrounded by a handful of dedicated volunteers.
This humble setting marked the inception of the ‘Morning Nutrition program’ at Doddabelle Village off Mysore Road by the Annapoorna Trust.
Little did they realize, that this Morning Nutrition Program which was started for 50 children through a simple act of kindness with petty cash donated by like-minded individuals, would herald the onset of the Nutrition Movement that would spread throughout the country across 25 States and 5 Union Territories and also across the globe.
It was in November 2015 that the official Trust was established with the Vision of “Let No Child Go to School Hungry, Ever!”, paving the way for formalization and a stronger commitment to the mission.
Many children go to school hungry—how can we expect them to concentrate or make progress? Would we be at ease if our own child went to school on an empty stomach? This deep empathy fueled the mission.
As of 2024, the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust is providing the Morning Nutrition Program to over ‘10 MILLION’ children across India.
Achieving the remarkable milestone of providing to ‘10 MILLION’ Government school children was a gradual process that didn’t happen overnight; it took years of dedicated efforts. One school at a time, one village after another. Multiple strategies to ensure that Morning Nutrition served maximally benefits to these children.
Most importantly this achievement was made possible through the support of what we call the **3 S’ Model** that is Sarkārā, Samājā and Sansthān.
Sarkārā (Government):
The Partnership with the Government Organization plays a crucial role in providing essential support. The government provides access and permissions for the Trust team members to leverage existing school infrastructure like kitchens, whilst the Trust provides the necessary ingredient requirements for preparing Morning Nutrition. Not just that the government also guides the trust in identifying areas, including remote regions, where this initiative can be most beneficial. Hence, their support has been imperative.
Samājā (Local Bodies/School Staff):
School teachers and cooks mainly contribute to the Morning Nutrition program, all are driven by a shared commitment to the betterment of students and the entire ecosystem. Such a massive reach would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the village community and elders, who have often stepped up to cover incidental expenses and ensured smooth operations.
Sansthān (Organisation):
While the empathy of the Trust and its members drives to reach many children, this level of impact would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our CSR partners and charitable trusts. Their unwavering commitment has been essential in advancing our mission and assisting countless children in need.
Reaching the landmark of serving 10 million children calls for a celebration, and it is only fitting to express our gratitude to all the key stakeholders from the Sarkārā, Samājā, and Sansthān who made this possible. What better time to celebrate than during Poshan Mah, observed in September—a month dedicated to alleviating hunger and ensuring that nutrition reaches every child?
In tune to this, the ‘Power of Poshan’ event was celebrated on the 12th of September 2024. Details of which are to follow.
