July Update

Three meals a day - something the majority of us take for granted. Unfortunately, for many in India, it is luxury. Gabbilalapet and Shanthi Nagar are both areas that are not immune to that. Opportunity Foundation, especially with the start of the new school year, has had several children come to school with complaints of stomach pains. No, they aren't sick - they're hungry! Some children are new at going to school and have trouble adjusting to the time schedule in the morning while others have parents who are unable to provide them with the three meals a day that we all know are so important. To help combat this, Opportunity Foundation provides lunch for all of the children and staff.

Lunch is on an alternating schedule every day of curry and dal with more rice then you would ever consider consuming. There is a variety of vegetables that are used - everything from potatoes, tomatoes, to leafy vegetable curries, which are always served with a hard boiled egg. Our hope is that the children are receiving a quality meal with protein and as many other nutrients as possible for at least one of their meals every day.

It is amazing how one meal can make a difference. Looking around the slum, there are children everywhere and you can tell which kids go to OFI. Yes, many of them run around in their uniforms after school, but it is also because our kids our bigger than those who are not getting that meal at school. The lunch that OFI provides is giving them some of what they need to grow and be healthy kids - taking away those stomach pains and letting the kids just be kids.