Celebrating the Heart of Education: A Tribute to All Teachers

Journey And Commitment Of An Unsung Champion

“I realized that education alone is not enough; children need to understand the importance of nutrition and cleanliness for their overall well-being”; as explained by Jitendra Sir of Model Basti School

Jitendra Sir, a dedicated educator at Model Basti School, has been one of the unsung heroes of 200 schools where the Eat Right initiative was being rolled out. Before the project’s inception, he possessed limited knowledge about nutritious food and cleanliness, oblivious to the importance of these factors in children’s lives beyond
academics. However, his journey was about to take a profound turn… During the project phase, Jitendra Sir, along with other teachers, embarked on a quest for knowledge about nutrition and physical hygiene. He became an active participant in every project activity, using every opportunity to impart valuable lessons to the children.

Before the project, Jitendra Sir’s focus was primarily on the academic growth of his students. He rarely engaged in other aspects of their development, such as daily assembly or classroom cleanliness. The “Eat Right Project” aimed to create health and wellness ambassadors in each school, and Jitendra Sir earned this admired title. He was now not just a teacher but a mentor guiding his students towards healthier lives. His newfound role as a Health and Wellness Ambassador transformed him into a multifaceted guide. Under his influence, the school atmosphere started to change. He began paying attention to every detail, ensuring that the children’s hands were clean when they partook in the mid-day meal and that they were wearing neat and tidy uniforms. He took the initiative to explain the significance of the beautiful wall paintings adorning the school’s walls and encouraged the students to draw
inspiration from them.

In his own words, Jitendra Sir expressed his commitment, “I have witnessed a transformation not only in my students but in myself as well. I am proud to be a part of the ‘Eat Right Project,’ and I’m determined to continue guiding these young minds towards a healthier and brighter future.” Model Basti School has witnessed an incredible journey over the past one year, thanks to the dedication and transformation of educators like Jitendra Sir. The school has not nourished young minds but also sowed the seeds of health, cleanliness, and well-being for generations to come.

Nourishing Future Leaders through Nutrition Gardens

Our children’s well-being is as important as their academic progress,” emphasized Shri P.Thirunavukkarasu.

In Subbegoundenpudur, Coimbatore, there is a remarkable Middle School that is transforming the lives of 184 children from rural backgrounds. These children come from families who work tirelessly as daily wage laborers in coconut farms, mills, and hotels, struggling to make ends meet. While their parents toil from dawn till dusk, the children’s health and nutrition often take a back seat, as they rely on the free school lunch. It’s a challenging reality that the school acknowledges and is determined to change.
Our children’s well-being is as important as their academic progress,” emphasized Shri P.Thirunavukkarasu. The Head Master of the school Shri P.Thirunavukkarasu, shares stories of children fainting during school hours due to insufficient nutrition. With this mission in mind, the school decided to take action. Initially, the school administration was hesitant to start a nutrition garden due to the lack of water supply. But their determination led them to reach out to a project team for support. The team responded positively by providing a 120ft PVC pipe, labor cost, green net, vegetable and fruit seeds, organic manure, watering pots, grape hoes, and lawn rakes, amounting to a total of 20,000 INR. Additionally, with the assistance of the local panchayat, the school secured bore well connections, ensuring 24/7 access to water.

With the tools and resources in place, the school established an Agriculture Group. This group is tasked with monitoring and maintaining the nutrition garden regularly. The children have taken on this responsibility with enthusiasm, not only learning how to grow nutritious food but also fostering a sense of community and leadership skills. As they tend to their garden, these young students are not only cultivating fruits and vegetables but also their own sense of responsibility and care for nature. The school is witnessing a transformation not just in the nutritional habits of the children but also in their social and leadership skills. In Subbegoundenpudur, this school is sowing the seeds of change, nurturing future leaders through the power of nutrition and education. It’s a heartwarming story of resilience, determination, and the positive impact a community can make when it comes together to support its children’s growth and development.

Educating for Health: A Changemakers’ Experience In Impacting Young Lives

Parents are coming in person and appreciating me in educating their children on good habits, hygiene practices and
healthy food pattern. They said they are personally witnessing the change in their children’s habits and food pattern”; mentioned a visibly happy Lavanya

Hello! I am Lavanya and working as a teacher in VRT Government Higher Secondary School, Anamali and ITK volunteer in Thathur village. I come from a rural community where life revolves around the hard work in the coconut farms, hotels, and construction sector. Most parents in our village begin their day toiling in the fields long before the clock strikes 7 am. This relentless pursuit of work often leaves them with little time or awareness to prioritize the healthy food intake of their children. Fortunately, the school provides a mid-day meal, which is a crucial lifeline for many of our kids.

The irony is that our parents, despite their dedication to work, have very limited knowledge about the consequences of unhealthy food practices. This is where the “Eat Right Schools” project stepped in to make a difference. They organized a comprehensive training program for teachers and DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) faculty members, focusing on the modules offered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The project also extended a warm invitation to ITK (Illam Thedi Kalvi, an after school program initiated by the Government of Tamil Nadu since Corona pandemic period) volunteers, and myself as a volunteer of the ITK program in Thathur village, gratefully accepted the opportunity.

After attending the training program, my perspective on teaching and community engagement was transformed. Armed with knowledge on nutrition and the components of a nutritious diet, I set out to incorporate these vital lessons into our students’ daily lives. Every day, during school hours and in the after-school program, I dedicated my time to teaching and motivating the children on healthy food practices, food safety, the benefits of hand washing, and much more. The wisdom I had gained from the training was now being passed down to the younger generation.

The impact of this endeavor was nothing short of astounding. Not only did the government school students benefit from my lessons, but even children from private schools were drawn to the after-school program. They were enticed by the evident knowledge and healthier lifestyles of the existing students. It was immensely gratifying to witness this transition, to see the behavioral changes taking place, and to receive the heartfelt appreciation of the parents. I am genuinely elated and consider it a tremendous privilege to be a teacher, nurturing these children on the path to a healthy lifestyle. With this initiative, our community is gradually realizing the value of a nutritious diet and the importance of safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our future generations.

Empowering Young Minds: A Journey of Transformation through Education and Guidance

It was through Dipak’s relentless effort that children like Ashiki regained health! By simply changing ones food habit, we can ensure a healthy living…along with children, we too have imbibed this moto”, said Vijaya, one of the School Teachers’ in Malwadi

I’m Dipak, and I was appointed as a nutrition counselor. I started working at Malwadi School. There I started making regular visits. During my first meeting, I had the privilege of introducing the Eat Right Project to the school principal, teachers, and some attending parents.

I took the opportunity to explain the project’s details, emphasizing our nutrition-related activities and our focus on health and hygiene with the students. It was during a Sehat club meeting that I had a chance to discuss the importance of good food for health. It was then that a young girl named Ashiki bravely shared her own health concerns and ongoing weakness. I immediately advised her to attend the next health check-up camp. Following the check-up, we discovered that Ashiki’s hemoglobin levels were alarmingly low, explaining her frequent bouts of sickness. Ashiki, accompanied by her mother, returned to school, and I took the opportunity to discuss her health issues with her class teacher, Mrs. Vijaya Khedkar. Mrs. Vijaya disclosed that Ashiki was underweight and had developed some unhealthy eating habits, often favored fast food and occasionally brought junk food in her tiffin.
With Mrs. Vijaya’s support, we could counsel Ashiki’s parents about adopting healthier and more nutritious food choices, along with sharing some valuable local recipes. Taking this to heart, I decided to conduct a home visit to Ashiki’s residence. There, I provided detailed information about the importance of a balanced diet and various methods to enhance food value, such as incorporating sprouts, salads, utilizing mixed grains, beets, fruits, and plenty of green leafy vegetables. I strongly advised against excessive consumption of fast food and oily
dishes, instead emphasizing the benefits of cultivating healthy eating habits. Through this journey, I witnessed the transformative power of education and guidance in shaping not only a young girl’s health but also the positive impact it had on her family’s wellbeing.

Gaurav Sharma

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