‘Meals at school helped me focus on studies’

Parmeet is 11 years old and he has big dreams to become a Doctor. He lives with his father, mother and a younger brother who is yet to start his education. His father works as a driver and mother is a housewife, who wants her children to study so that they can have a better life.

With his father’s meagre income, his family can barely afford two meals a day. The family lives in a single room with no sanitation facilities. Despite these challenges, Parmeet found his footing through non-formal education and meal programme at Sakshi Centre in Gurgaon, four years ago.
Powered by CAF India, Delhi Food Bank and Aon Consulting Pvt Ltd, the feeding programme has helped several underprivileged children like Parmeet.
Parmeet is now goes to the Govt. Primary Boys School in Badshahpur after four years of nurturing at Sakshi centre. When asked, how he feels about the four years of non-formal education and the meal program, Parmeet says, “The meals I ate made it possible for boys like me to stay healthy and focus on education. I still have a chance to pursue my dream.”
He still comes to the Sakshi centre for afternoon remedial classes, where he continues to get his favourite vegetable khichdi, matar paneer and chhole.
As he grows up healthy, educated and empowered, we see him breaking free from poverty and help people, who cannot afford to go to a doctor for healthcare.