A non-government organisation (NGO) launched an initiative to provide protein-rich snacks in the mornings to students of a government school here recently.
Ini Oru Vidhi Seivom Trust launched the initiative at the Panchayat Union Middle School, Periyar Colony, to students between Class I and Class VIII. According to Kavitha Jenarthanan, the NGO’s founder, nearly 110 students were given boiled pulses ( sundal in Tamil) and dry grapes.
“Many students come to the government schools without having breakfast and the mid-day meals are only served at 12.30 p.m.,” Ms. Jenarthanan said, when asked about the need for this initiative. “Some young students tend to come to schools as early as 8.30 a.m.,” she told The Hindu.
At present, 10 volunteers from the Trust were involved in the initiative and they would periodically visit the school to ensure that the students received the snacks, Ms. Jenarthanan said. This initiative would be carried out for one year till October 2020.
“If we have more support from the school, I don't mind extending [the period],” she said.
The project would cost ₹ 3,000 every month, Ms. Jenarthanan said. Depending on the number of volunteers available, this initiative would be expanded to other government schools, she added.
R. Porkodi, headmistress, said that the volunteers visited the school in September to propose the initiative. “Protein is intended for the growth of children,” she said, noting that the school’s non-teaching staff would cook the pulses and give to the students at 11 a.m. every day.
