Maina is a 11 -year-old girl who lives in a slum in Ajmer, Rajasthan. She has been living there since she was born and has never been to school because her parents cannot afford it. Maina’s family is poor, but they are not alone; many families in this area live in poverty and struggle daily to survive. Maina’s mother works as a maid for wealthy families, so Maina helps her with chores around the house when she gets home from work each day. They often eat leftovers from the homes where Maina’s mother cleans because it’s cheaper than buying food themselves–and sometimes there isn’t enough for everyone at dinner time!
RSKS India came to know about the situation of Maina and other children living at slum like her and then planned to organize a Nutrition Kit Distribution and Healthy Diet Awareness program under the Make a Wish for Slum & Street Children Project. Under this program, Maina got the Nutrition kit which contained Rajma, Black Gram, Soya Beans, Moong Dal etc. and also got to know about healthy and balanced diet through the help of flipcharts, card sheets at the awareness program done by RSKS India Team members at their slum area.
Maina’s physical health has improved significantly since she started using the nutrition kit provided by RSKS India. She no longer suffers from headaches or stomach pain, and her energy levels have increased. The mental health benefits are equally impressive: Maina’s self-esteem has improved as she feels more confident in herself and her abilities, while her family reports that they feel less worried about their daughter’s future because they know she will be able to take care of herself when they pass away.
Maina’s story is an example of the impact of nutrition kits and education on the health of slum & street children. The intervention has been effective in improving Maina’s nutritional status, thereby reducing her risk from malnutrition. In addition, it has helped her improve her overall health by providing her with adequate nutrients necessary for growth and development. The use of these interventions should be considered as a means to address malnutrition among children living in slums or on streets because they are affordable, easy to implement and can be scaled up rapidly if necessary.