Jashoda’s weight is increasing

Jashoda is a 4th standard student in a reputable private Marathi-medium school. She is extremely hardworking, eager to learn, and does not miss a single day of school, rain or shine. Her parents’ hopes and dreams rest on her, as she is the only one of the family’s four children who does not have a moderate-to-severe mental handicap. Jashoda’s father has a small sweets shop in the market, and her mother stays at home, as someone must always be there to look after Jashoda’s older siblings who are unable to care for themselves. Throughout her childhood, Jashoda has been chronically undernourished, and is quite small for her age. Thus, her parents were very happy to sign her up as a student at the Ashraya Initiative for Children’s Education Program, which includes daily meals and snacks for all students. The meals always include chapati (flat bread), bhaji (cooked vegetables), boiled eggs, fresh seasonal fruit, yogurt and several other items, and are designed to ensure children like Jashoda are having their full nutritional needs met. Through her participation in the program, Jashoda’s weight has slowly been increasing, and she has been healthier and more energetic overall.

Thank you, Gillian (x3), Erika, Mark and Lisbet, Jeffrey, Mahendra, Luke and Ani, Tom, Jennifer and Kevin (x2) for coming together to enable Ashraya Initiative for Children to provide one full year of healthy meals to Jashoda.