These 1,800 students no longer skip breakfast

Well-wishers also ensure healthcare for the children

Students of Venkatapuram Government Primary School being served a healthy breakfast by a team of volunteers in Visakhapatnam.

What started with just 35 students in a government school in Gopalapatnam has now reached 1,800 students in 27 primary and upper primary schools in the Pendurthi, Chinagadili and Pedagantyada mandals.

Thanks to the initiative taken by a group of socially-minded people who came together to serve a freshly-cooked breakfast free of cost, the students arriving at government schools do not have to skip their first meal of the day any longer.

Hailing from diverse professional backgrounds, the volunteers associated with the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust set a part of their monthly income aside and ensure that students get a good helping of hot breakfast every working day. “A couple of years ago, when we came to know that many students come to school on an empty stomach, we decided to do something. In addition to serving a healthy breakfast, we also supply cookies to over 10,000 students in various parts of the district,” says Sivakoti Madhusudan Rao, a volunteer who works as a development officer with the LIC.

The cyclic menu comprises vegetable

biryani , pongal, flavoured rice, upma and curd rice, among other items. These dishes are prepared in large quantities in four schools by cooks and supplied to nearby institutions.

As doctors are part of the team, healthcare is also taken care of. “Dental and eye screening camps are held,” Dr. S.K. Santosh, a dentist volunteer, said.