Daily Mid-Day Meal

About the campaign:

Diksha children are typically:

• From Migrant labour families living in jhuggis (make-shift homes)
• Belong to economically weaker sections living in Chauma village, Dharam colony, Caterpuri and New Palam Vihar
• Found loitering in the streets begging for alms
• Drop outs from up to three previous schools
• Refugees from Bangladesh

C.B.S.E based academic education is provided by salaried teachers who receive on-going professional development and are mentored by experienced volunteers. Children are encouraged to learn a variety of extra-curricular activities such as folk art, dance, drama, music and yoga and participate in inter-house and inter-NGO sports meets. Diksha supplies a nutritious mid-day meal (prepared on the premises daily) and a snack to each child in addition to uniforms, shoes and books. Periodic dental and medical check up is given to all students by volunteering organizations and doctors. Parents are an integral part of Diksha and participate in regular parent-teacher meetings and workshops on hygiene, nutrition and non-violence. Parents are encouraged to lend their expertise to support the school.

Mid-Day Meal :

In addition to a healthy mid-day snack, Diksha provides a daily meal to the children and has been made possible only through the outstanding support of the community. Cooking is done in the school kitchen maintaining high standards of hygiene. It is heartening to watch the children do justice to the simple meal of lentils like rajma and chana with rice and seasonal vegetables. Sometimes they have an added treat of a dessert fondly provided by a well-wisher.

To provide a healthy mid-day meal for the 300 children, the daily requirement is 12-14 kg of rice, 9 Kg lentils,  1/2 kg of cooking oil and condiments. The monthly intake of rice is being most generously donated by a corporate partner. Our requirement presently is for the supply of lentils, cooking oil and condiments as well as some sports equipment and stationery.