Bright Minds, Healthy Bites in Piruaj Bajo

Through this project, Cynnal provided a healthy afternoon snack three times per week to 60 children in the rural community of Piruaj Bajo. Access to nutritious food in this population is extremely limited: there is no electricity, fresh food is not available locally, and most children do not eat dinner. Their typical breakfast consists only of tea with bread and butter.

To ensure consistent access to nutritious food, we hired a local person who traveled weekly to purchase and deliver essential items such as milk, yogurt, jam, cereals, and fresh fruit, which are not available within the community. This logistical support was essential for the continuity of the program.

In 2025, we worked with the community’s health agent to monitor children’s nutritional status. All participating children were weighed during the year, and by the end of 2025 the data showed a measurable improvement in children’s weight, indicating a positive impact on their overall nutrition and well-being.

In addition to receiving the healthy snack, all 60 children benefited from complementary educational activities:

• 40 children received literacy support, and

• 20 children participated in a music education program.

This integrated approach—combining nutrition, health monitoring, and education—has strengthened children’s physical development, learning opportunities, and overall quality of life in Piruaj Bajo