1 Oct. 2004 Bangladesh
Eat food and concentrate in lecture-school lunch and medical check-up started
Children eat the school lunch of bread and banana
Promoting nutrition and healthcare among school children
HFW supplies education to 233 children in three schools in Bhanga, Boda, and Kaligonji Counties. However, there are many pupils who are subject to disease because of lack of nourishment and be absent, or who cannot concentrate on the lecture. For example, a school building called “House of Sun” is constructed in Shuniketon Passhra elementary school in Bolidapara village in Kaligonji, and 150 pupils can study there. However, there are many children who come to school without eating breakfast because of poverty. They can’t even eat “panta” (rice soaked in water for one night and salted) which is a regular menu in a home having a hard time making ends meet.
Therefore, school lunch and medical check-up started in April 2004 at three schools. The school lunch menu is one or two dishes using banana, egg, honey, milk, beans and vegetables with high-nutrition. A vegetable garden is prepared in the school garden and pupils were taught how to raise fruits and vegetables and the harvest will be used for cooking ingredient in the future. Fruits are expected to harvest after two years and if the crop yields increase, they can sell in the market and may be able to use the income as the school operation fee.
Medical check-up is executed twice a month and protective inoculation, parasite disinfestations meds and vitamin capsules. At the parent-teacher’s meeting, basic knowledge of parasite and disease prevention is provided. In this meeting, we anticipated that attendance rate may be low due to busy work, less interest to health or religious belief that the current condition is the fate. However, as local HFW volunteers called to attend the meeting, many parents gathered.
Learn to wash hands before eating lunch
Children enjoy the school lunch with happy smile
Message from Banlgadesh
I am glad that I can eat school lunch. I am also glad that I can eat with my friends. Pleasant things increased.
Sinty, 6 years old
As Farque’s farther died, I could not make lunch to my child. I am very happy that my son can have school lunch. HFW gave my son a smile.
Mother of Farque Hosain, 6 years old
I participated in school lunch cooking volunteer for one day. It was very good feeling that I can cook not only for my daughter but for all children. All pupils are my children.
Jonty Sicadel, a pupil’s mother
