There are many bright and inquisitive children around the world who want to learn and achieve high in life. These children are keen to attend school despite of many difficulties they face back home. But, hunger and poverty keep these children away from school. If they choose to go to school then they will have to remain hungry, for the reason that they will miss out on earning their meal. In the tussle between education and food, naturally food gets the priority here. This explains that if free food can be provided to these children in school, it will act as the biggest incentive for them to come to school.
This insight brought to fore many Government Schemes and Programmes to counter hunger and illiteracy. Schemes related to right to education, compulsory primary education, health, and nutrition resulted out of this insight. Many NGOs in India came forward to support these Government initiatives. The Akshaya Patra Foundation was one such Indian Children NGO. Akshaya Patra is headquartered in Bangalore, and it implements the Mid-Day Meal programme under the aegis of Central and State Governments. Akshaya Patra has been conferred as the world’s largest NGO-run mid-day meal programme.
The Foundation works towards the vision of “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger”. For this it strives towards providing “unlimited food for education”. It sees education as the most significant tool that can break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. This is the reason the Foundation has strategically expanded its operations to reach more and more children in India. It began its programme implementation by feeding 1500 children in five Government schools in Bangalore. Government support, generous contributions from donors-Corporate and Individual, sincere and dedicated efforts of the Foundation itself have enabled it to scale up to feed 1.3 million children in India every day.
Akshaya Patra employs the Public- Private Partnership model to run its operations. It provides mid-day meal to Government schools and Government-aided schools, and currently reaches out to more than 9000 schools across India. The operation of this Foundation is spread across India covering 19 locations in 9 states. Various research studies and testimonials show that the mid-day meal has positively impacted the children. Introduction of mid-day meal in schools have increased school enrolment, improved academic performance and concentration of children. It has had a significant role in reducing school drop-out rate.
The most important thing in all this is the dream of each child. The ambitions that they want to achieve and their sincerity towards their dream is the crux that Akshaya Patra wants to fulfil by providing one nutritious meal to the needy children in India. The Foundation is tirelessly working to provide this one wholesome meal that brings children to school, helps them to get educated, and gives them the freedom to dream, aspire and achieve. But, in this journey towards achieving a hunger free and educated tomorrow, Akshaya Patra requires the help and support of many hands.
Come forward, Donate for Children, and be the helping hand towards the cause. Your contribution will help Akshaya Patra to provide food to many more children in India. In a larger picture you will help these children and the society to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy.
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