The Akshaya Patra Foundation serves food to 1.3 million school children in India every day. It is also the world’s largest NGO-run mid-day meal programme. It works towards the vision that “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.” The vision of the Foundation itself shows the significance of food in education. Akshaya Patra is a Bangalore based Indian NGO. It works towards an educated future and so it provides “unlimited food for education”.
The reason behind this initiative is the million children in India who are capable and dream of achieving big in life. The only factor that holds them back is unavailability of primary resources like food, and an opportunity to attend school. These children require earning for their meal by themselves and thus missing out on regular schooling. This is the reason why Akshaya Patra provides food for children in need so that they can learn and achieve their dreams. The mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra not only acts as an incentive for these children to come to school but concurrently allows them to get educated too.
There are many Government Schemes and Programmes related to compulsory primary education, right to education, health, and nutrition. Many NGOs in India work towards the Government initiatives so that the impact of these schemes can be larger. Akshaya Patra runs its mid-day meal programme under the aegis of Central and State Governments. Currently it reaches out to more than 9000 Government schools and Government-aided schools across India.
The Foundation sees the potential of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. This is the reason the Foundation has strategically expanded its operations across India to reach more and more children in India. In 2000, the Foundation began implementing its programme by feeding 1500 children in five Government schools in Bangalore. The support of Government, generous contributions from Corporate and Individual donors and the focussed and sincere efforts of the Foundation have enabled Akshaya Patra to serve its billionth meal since inception in August 2012.
Working in a Public- Private Partnership model the Foundation’s operations is spread across the country covering 19 locations in 9 states. Studies show that the mid-day meal has many positive impacts in the health and academics of the children in India. The school enrolment has increased, academic performance and concentration of the children have improved; and there has been a significant decrease in school drop-out rate.
The most important thing for this NGO in India is the dream of each child. It is for these dreams that the Foundation is working tirelessly to provide at least one wholesome meal with the objective that it brings children to school, help them to get educated, and give them the freedom to aspire and achieve. In doing so, like many NGOs in India and abroad, Akshaya Patra too needs help and support from the society.
You too can be a part in building a tomorrow that is educated and free from hunger. You can take up the role of a donor, volunteer, fund raiser, blogger or spread the word through personally or through social media. Come forward, join The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Along with being a part of the Indian NGO that is also ranked 23rd among Top 100 NGOs in the world; you will also help Akshaya Patra in providing food for children in India.
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