Food Nutrition
Food Nutrition as per government norms :
Diet can affect an individual’s health in many ways which in turn have a drastic effect on not
only their physical but academic and social development as well. For children especially,
good nutrition makes great difference in ensuring their physical and mental wellbeing. A
strong yardstick for the same, in case of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) is the nutrition and
diet scale mentioned in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. As per the
JJ Act, some of the key points are:
The children shall be provided four meals in a day, the menu shall be prepared with
the help of a nutritional expert or doctor to ensure balanced diet.
Three varieties of dals to be included alternatively, rice, chapatti, and a green leafy
vegetable.
On the advice of institutional doctor, every sick child shall be provided special diet.
Children may be provided special meals on holidays and festivals.
Extra diet for nourishment like eggs, milk, fruits shall be regularly given to the
children.
Meal Timmings :
Breakfast – (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM)
Lunch – (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Snacks – (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Dinner – (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)
Diet at SBT Home :
Breakfast
Food menu is fixed for all week-days, keeping in mind the dietary requirements of this age –group. The menu consists of poha, Dalia, parantha, bread, puri-sabzi with special chole –bhatoore on
Sundays.
All this is accompanied by milk or tea on regular basis.
Lunch
As per the JJ Act, a combination of both rice and chapattis is given. A vegetable and dal are included. On certain days curd is also provided.
Evening
Fruit and namkeen is given generally. Often cakes, sweets, juices or other snacksare also given
Dinner
A combination of rice and chapatti along with a green leafy veggie and dal. Egg curry is made thrice a week, and chicken is cooked monthly. The diet is balanced, and egg /chicken is included that acts as protein supplement.
the team works to ensure that all children get good quality, timely and
nutritious meals which are enhanced as per the doctor’s advice for children facing health
issues. Children’s inputs are taken while making modifications in the diet chart as well as
efforts are made to sensitize children on the importance of healthy food.
Impact of food and nutrition on children
Developments observed
Medical check-ups show that most of the children are growing according to their age
with ideal body weight and height.
There are less cases of illness or sickness in the children’s home.
Children are enjoying the meals, eating together (regular feedback taken)
Children are learning to eat together, share and serve others
Children have developed the habit of praying before the meals (being grateful,
thankful)
Since meals are served at a particular time, children are acquiring a sense of having
meals on time (punctuality)
Testimonies
Neelam (food incharge, Udaan Home)
“Morning breakfast is provided to all children before 7:00 AM on school days
and before 8:00 AM on holidays. The menu is fixed, but at times we make
changes depending on the weather and availability of ingredients.”
Sarita (medical social worker)
“Special diet includes seasonal fruits, eggs and milk, given as advised
by the doctor. It is given on regular basis. Considerable improvement in
the health status of many girls is visible and recorded.”
Child, Shobha:
“My sudden weight loss and weakness led to a routine
medical check–up wherein I was diagnosed with
Tuberculosis. Apart from medication, I was advised to take
milk daily along with fruits. This special diet has helped me,
as now my weight has improved.”
Introduction
Arushi is the first girls’ shelter home started by Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT). It offers 24 hours shelter to 50 girls between the ages of 5 years to 18 years coming from the streets or other difficult circumstances. The centre is located in Gurgaon, Haryana. Arushi home is registered as a Child Care Institution under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.
Number of children reached
In this period, there were 89 girls who availed the Arushi home facility.
Education
Education is an integral component of SBT programme and very important for children living or coming to shelters from difficult circumstances.
Non-Formal Education: All new children coming to the centre are initially linked with Non-Formal Education and only after a formal assessment, they are linked with formal education.
Formal Schooling: 28 children were admitted to regular private schools and they are attending the classes regularly. All the children are happy to be back to school after a long hiatus due to the pandemic.
National Institute of Open Schooling: 8 children were enrolled in the NIOS which is an open learning programme for the children who have either passed the age to be enrolled in a formal school or are pursuing a vocational training.
Computer Education: The home is equipped with a computer laboratory for children to learn computers, an integral part to today’s education curriculum. Most of the girls know the basics of computers such as word, excel etc.
Higher Education: 1 child is pursuing a course in Aviation, Hospitality,Travel and Management from Frankfinn Institute of Airhostess Training.
Life Skills education: Regular sessions on life skills such as anger management, improving interpersonal skills, team building etc were also held with the children.
Vocational Training: 8 children are in vocational training and the process of rehabilitation upon attaining adulthood is on. 3 girls are undergoing training in beauty culture and 5 are working in the kitchen of a cafeteria.
Children with special needs
There are 5 children with special needs in this home, with conditions of Autism, Schizophrenia, and Mild Intellectual difficulties and need individual attention and care. Regular therapy is being provided to them by the therapist.
Provision & Nutrition
Nutritious food is vital for children’s growth and development, and very significant for children coming from vulnerable backgrounds. To meet the nutritional needs of children, nutritionally-balanced and hot-cooked meals are served in the shelter home. The meals are prepared in the kitchen space provided at the residential centre under the supervision of staff members to ensure safe and hygienic practices. In some cases, children have special nutritional requirements due to illness such as tuberculosis and malnutrition. Such children are provided with special nutrition including protein supplements, additional servings of fruits and milk as prescribed by the doctor.
Health Care
SBT medical team, including doctors, visit the shelter home regularly, conduct routine checkups children and prescribe medical treatment for children with health issues.
143 medical investigations were carried out, 65 children were referred to hospitals, 4 children were hospitalized and 9 children had to undergo long term treatment.
Eye and dental camps were organised in the shelter home in which around 40 children got themselves checked and received required treatment.
In this period here were 24 cases of COVID-19 in the Arushi home and all infected children were provided proper care and treatment and they recovered soon. The children were vaccinated against tetanus, hepatitis B and COVID-19.
COVID-19 safety measures
SBT ensured proper safety protocols in all its shelters/ programmes. As part of this, RTPCR tests were conducted and infected children were given proper medical treatment, adolescents were given COVID prevention vaccines and health sessions were conducted with children and in the communities on the disease.
Mental health programme is important component of SBT health care and dedicated mental health professionals conduct group and individual sessions with the children. In this period, 8 girls were referred to the mental health programme and they were provided with the required treatment and counselling.
Sports and recreational activities
A number of activities including educational games were organised for the children in the home and outside as well.
Celebration
Important events like festivals are celebrated in all homes and also in Arushi home by SBT.
Restoration to families/ Rehabilitation
In this period 30 children were restored to their families from this shelter home. Also, 16 children were transferred to other homes/ facilities based on need. And 2 children were rehabilitated (placed with aftercare) upon attaining adulthood.
Stories of Change
Story 1
Kareena (name changed) is now a nineteen year old girl who came to Arushi home of SBT through another NGO. Her father had died because of some terminal disease. Her mother was not keeping well and brother was also having several health issues. This year Kareena completed 12th standard through CBSE board examination. She is excellent in all activities. Kareena wanted to pursue an Airhostess training. So, with SBT’s support, Kareena has been enrolled in a course at Frankfinn Institute of Airhostess Training, New Delhi.
Story 2
Mumtaz (name changed), is a seventeen year old girl who came to Arushi home in year 2020. She belongs to a village in Haryana. She was sent to Arushi home on the orders of a Child Welfare Committee as she was not safe at her home. She was brought to this home along with her siblings. Initially it was very difficult for Mumtaz to adjust in the institution. She was very upset because of the trauma she faced in her life. And she was unable to study which further added to her misery.
Mumtaz was provided with mental health support, non-formal education, medical care, good diet and opportunities to participate in sports and recreational activities. Gradually she started showing progress. Later she was enrolled in the 10th standard in the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). At present Mumtaz is pursuing a hospitality training with the support of GMR.
Challenges
About Arushi Home
Arushi is one of the girls’ children home of Salaam Baalak Trust. It is a registered child care institution for girls in need in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. This is residential care project which caters to the need of the girls between the age group of 6 to 18 years, located in Gurgaon. This place provides full-fledged support to the children including medical care, hot cooked meals, education, mental health support, vocational training; for rehabilitation of every child.
Details of children (Girls) in Aarushi home in the period
Kinds of Service/ Intervention and number of girls :
Number of girls who availed the home services 54
Restoration to family 6
Availing higher studies 1 (rehabilitated)
Formal Education 27
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) 5
Non-formal education (NFE) 22
Vocational training 2
Medical Care:
Individual psychosocial support- 173
Group sessions- 17
Referral sessions- 80
In house check-ups- 61
Medical Investigation- 48 children
Referred to hospital – 16 children
TT vaccination- 38 children
De-worming- 42 children
Hospitalisation- 2
Human Resources
SBT engaged 20 staff members to manage the home for girls, which includes Centre In-Charge (Coordinator), caretakers, cooks and guards. The medical team including doctors and mental health professionals also visit the home regularly.
Food
Children are provided with 3 hot and nutritious meals and evening snacks. For sick children special nutrition is provided in the form of milk, eggs, paneer, juice, nuts, etc.
Achievements
Challenges
Stories of Change
Young pregnant girl gets support
A young girl Seema (name changed) was sent to Arushi children’s home by the authorities for care and protection as she was pregnant and her husband was in jail. She was given special care, mental health support and healthy diet.
After sometime Seema shared that she is an adult (above 18 years of age). So the SBT staff carried out a bone ossification test and it was found that Seema is actually above 18 years of age. So soon she was transferred to NariNiketan (home for women) in her native place Karnal, Haryana.
Girl pursues career in aviation industry
A child Meena (name changed) was brought to Arushi home for girls through an organization named Chelsea at the age of five years. Her father died from a terminal illness and her mother and brother also have some severe health issues. Meena found it difficult to adjust to her new life in the home initially but later she started settling down. She was good at studies so she was enrolled in Rotary Public school. She scored 81% in standard 12.Presently she is pursuing a course in “Aviation, hospitality and travel Management”.
Progress Report
2021
Introduction
Aarushi Children’s Home for Girls (CHG) of Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) provide quality services to girls rescued from difficult and vulnerable situations and are in need of care and protection. The team at Aarushi CHG has been working round the clock to provide a conducive environment to girls for their holistic development. The Aarushi CHG team was able to provide support to 67 children during the reporting period. Although the biggest challenge was the second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic and consequent lockdown.
Progress Update
An overview of activities as part of the supported project has been provided below.
Digital Skill Development: the educational and digital literacy programme for the girls at Aarushi CHG is our new programme. An elaborate computer curriculum was created keeping in mind the age and the grasping power of children. Digital literacy has helped academic performance and to learn new skills. They have covered various topics like MS Excel, Ms Word and Scratch etc.
Education: Education is the process of facilitating learning and the acquisition of knowledge and skills. The emphasis is to link every child with the education system either-Formal or Non -formal keeping in mind their aptitude. There are three modes of education i.e., Formal, National School of Open Learning (NIOS) and Non-Formal Education (N.F.E). Girls are taught through various creative methods. During the reporting period, 67 girls were supported through education programme. Teachers try to use creative methods of teaching so that the children comprehend and enjoy the learning process. During the reporting period, 28 girls were enrolled in Formal school, 5 girls in NIOS and 34 girls in NFE.
Due to the lockdown and closing down of the schools, 4 computers to computer lab were added so that children could attend online classes. Children were divided into groups so that all could have access to the computers.
Challenges
Forming education as the basis of engaging with girls for their overall development, Aarushi CHG team has been providing girls multiple opportunities for learning and development. To this end, a strong and technically sound education system has been put in place at Aarushi CHG.
The programme encompasses three key modes of education to meet the individual needs of girls given their varied levels of academic exposure.
• Non-Formal education- The girls who have been out of school for a substantial period of time or have never been enrolled in one are provided intensive non-formal education through interactive and joyful methods of pedagogy.
• Open Learning- Girls who are not able to cope up with educational demands at school are linked to open schooling and are provided in-house academic support by teachers at Arushi CHG. Since, these girls do not go to schools they are given opportunities for extracurricular activities and latent talent development.
• Formal school- Children who have been out of school for a short period and excel academically are linked to formal schools and are given in-house educational support to complete their school homework and assignments. In addition computer classes, quizzes and other educational sessions are also organised to enhance girls overall personality development.
Vocational Training and Rehabilitation:
Girls who are above 18 years of age are prepared for independent living under the rehabilitation programme at Arushi CHG. The psychologist and the team at Arushi CHG work with girls to encourage them to learn practical life skills like - money management, healthy eating habits etc. Apart from this, individual sessions are provided to help girls get over their fear and concern of living alone. To facilitate the transition from Arushi CHG to a place of their own, the girls are provided essentials such as groceries, kitchen goods, bedding and rent for a month. One of the girls was enrolled in Aviation training from Frankfinn. Three girls are learning Drawing through an esteemed organization. Another girl is doing Airhostess training from Frankfinn. She has completed her 12th through Rotary Public School with 84%. So she has been rehabilitated.
Introduction-
Aarushi Children’s Home (CHG) is run by Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) for girls in need of care and protection in Gurugram, Haryana. A 24*7 children’s home, Aarushi CHG provides care and protectionto children in vulnerable and distressed situation.The home is run by a professional team comprising of a Coordinator, counselor, medical social worker and social workers. There were 60 beneficiaries in the reporting period.
Progress Overview
Education:Formingeducationasthebasisofengagingwithgirlsfortheiroveralldevelopment,Aarushi CHG team has been providing girls multiple opportunities for learning and development. To this end, a strong and technically sound education system has been put in place atAarushi CHG.Theprogrammeencompassesthreekeymodesofeducationtomeettheindividualneedsofgirlsgiven theirvariedlevelsofacademicexposure.
During the reporting period, 28 girls are enrolled in formal school. Five girls are studying through NIOS and 27 girls were linked with non-formal education (NFE).
Food and nutrition services: Children living in the home are provided with nutritious and seasonal food to boost up their immunity since they are susceptible to many infections and diseases. It is ensured that they are given balanced diet as per the norms of Juvenile Justice Act. All the meals consist of carbohydrates, protein and fibre. The menu is made in consultation with the girls. The girls who fall sick or are comparatively weak than other girls are provided special/ extra diet. They were also being provided with various supplements such as vitamin C, Iron and calcium. Regular sessions were taken with the children by the medical social worker about the value of nutritious food, avoiding junk food and about maintaining hygiene to ensure good health.
guards were responsible for taking the temperature and ensuring that the staff enters the centre only after sanitizing their hands and belongings.
Challenges due to COVID-19
Case Study
S* came to Salaam Baalak Trust three years back. Her mother passed away when she was quite young and father was quite aggressive and alcoholic. He was unable to take care of the child and did not have job. Her father was pushing the child towards prostitution so she ran away from home. She was placed in Arushi by CWC. S* had a lot of emotional issues initially and would not trust other children easily. She would have frequent nightmares and was grieving her mother.
S* was provided counselling and was enrolled in a good private school. Within few months, the staff felt that she was doing very in academics and emotionally also was setting well. She was motivated further and was provided individual attention to cope up with the academics. S* is at present in 7th standard and secured 80 percent in 6th class. She loves to dance and is also taking computer classes. She is a quick learner and has grasped the basics very easily.
S* aspires to be a doctor when she grows up and SBT is supporting her to do well.
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