We are an Indo-German couple, by profession Clinical Perfusion Scientist and Children´s Doctor  who aim to help children who are significantly less fortunate than others by feeding and providing them with education materials in Salahpur Akbalpur Uttar Pradesh India.

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The Salahpur Akbalpur village is located 15 km away from the sub-district headquarter Jalalpur and 25 km away from the district headquarter Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, India. The total geographical area of the village is 1.63 square kilometres. Salahpur Akbalpur has a total population of 1,632 people. Most of the residents of Salahpur Akbalpur are not having stable employment or regular incomes. The main source of income is agriculture, teaching at the primary school or working as a migrant worker far away from home in bigger cities for economical support. 

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As a child growing up in this village in Uttar Pradesh in 1980’s with grandparents who were passionate farmers, and an Indian railway employee, there was always a lot happening in the backyard. You woke up to the sound of grandmother milking the cows and in harvesting season the neighbours in the village came together to work as one. The food that came from our backyard was delicious and wholesome, be it the rice, milk, curd (home-made yogurt) and ghee that came from each household farm. The wheat, rice, lentils, sugar-cane, tomatoes, potatoes and mangos were home-grown. My happiest childhood memories were helping my grandparents tend to their farm, watering the plants, helping graze the cows, playing with the dog, and climbing the many trees. Salahpur Akbalpur is a calm countryside village for children to grow up but due to poverty, lack of infrastructure and unemployment of parents, many children struggle to have a healthy meal every day which is the key for a healthy future both physically and mentally. 

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Thinking of the time as a student in my primary school, I remember that there was no mid-day meal provided at the school. I was lucky to get a home prepared meal. But I remember many pupils stayed hungry struggling to concentrate during the class. In my primary school there was no kitchen, toilet or any furniture. I remember sitting on the floor with my jute mat which I took every day from home.

 

Among the many problems this school faced during my time was malnutrition. During my last visit to my hometown, I got a chance to see my old primary school again. Significant changes have been made such as a basic food provision and school benches and desks have been set up. Today fifty pupils boys and girls have been enrolled at the school. Though the school provides a mid-day meal, this meal is very basic and lacks nutritious value, which is needed for a healthy child development. Also there is no toilet, no clean drinking water and sufficient school materials and furniture.

 

We see opportunity for creating a better future for those pupils by providing healthy meals and education materials, thereby helping  kids, whose families face economic hardship. Food and education are the bridge for better future and hunger has no place among children.

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                                                                         -Rakesh and Katharina (Founder and Co-Founder)