Food for People — Interviews with children and parents

The staff of Premsagar Foundation at the Food for People (FFP) facility in Bantoli, India, talked to some of the children and their parents who have been participating in this program for a few years. This is what they had to say about the benefits they have received from FFP. [All individuals are identified by their initials to protect their privacy.]

JG, 15 years old, comes from a poor family with scarce resources that do not provide even two meals a day. Because of the Food for People program, he has been able to have good food for three years.

JG's father:
“I work as a laborer and, with great difficulty, I am bringing up my children. My son is JG, age 15. Because of the Food for People program, my son has been able to have good food for three years now. I thank TPRF for their support. This program has proved to be a blessing for my son, because before he never had good food, which in turn affected his health, but now there have been radical changes in his health. We have to visit the doctor less than before, which has helped us save up some money for the family. I see a lot of changes in JG. He is able to concentrate more on studies, and he dreams of becoming a doctor in the future. He is actively participating in sports, which he never used to do before. JG has learned the importance of being clean and tidy and helps us a lot. I am not able to express my gratitude in words. I am very happy with the behavior of the children in the program.”

MK, 11 years old, has been going to Food for People from the beginning. As well as the delicious food, she especially likes the educational programs like “Discovery” and “Animal Planet,” which are shown to the children on television. She, along with many other children, comes here a bit earlier than the scheduled mealtime to watch these programs. She expresses her gratitude to all the people who have been supporting this initiative.

MK's father:
“I am a 50-year-old resident of Bantoli Village working as a laborer. We struggle for our livelihood. My children never had two proper meals in a day. My daughter, MK, attends Food for People regularly. Since she started, her health has improved a lot. I can see many more improvements in MK: she goes to school regularly, is good in her studies, is not fighting with her friends, gives respect to elders and friends, and also looks after household work and takes the cattle out for grazing. I have also noticed improvements in other children attending Food for People along with MK. Because of Food for People, my family’s financial condition has improved, and I am able to provide a better education for my daughter. I am really very thankful to FFP.”

DM, 13 years old, has been benefiting from Food for People in Bantoli, India, since it opened. He says he is happy to have good food every day. This has improved his health and helped him concentrate more on his studies. He has learned to stand in line and wait his turn. He says, “I want to become a good citizen of this country.”

DM’s mother:
“I am from the village of Bhajiya Toli. I earn my daily living as a laborer in the fields. My son, DM, has benefited from the Bantoli FFP from its very beginning. Before, he was often ill and weak, so his school attendance was irregular. Since his participation in the FFP, he is stronger and does better in school. He even helps out at home. All my children are participating in the FFP, and all have benefited from the program. They aim to get jobs with the government. I am very grateful to TPRF for giving a better life to my children, and I hope that this blessing will remain forever for them.”

KK, 12 years old, has been participating in this initiative for the last three years. She is extremely happy to get well-cooked and nutritious food in a neat and clean environment. Her elder sister, SD, who is 35 years old, has also been coming for the last three years. She says now they have become healthier and more resistant to diseases. The money they used to spend on treating such diseases can now be used for other important needs.

KK's adult sister:
“I live in Jhiko Jila, Lohardaga, and have a younger sister KK, 12 years old. We are from a family of manual laborers. We were living in a state of helplessness. We were not able to earn two meals a day. Our health condition was not in a good state. This was the condition of all the members of our family. But since the start of the Food for People project, my two sisters have been coming to the facility and having a healthy meal every day. Our health conditions have improved, and we have been able to work more. My younger sister KK has started going to school regularly. She dreams of becoming a doctor someday and helping the needy. At home, KK has started obeying everyone and is helping in all the household work. She is not quarrelling with anyone and advises everyone to live with love and affection. KK keeps spreading the message of the FFP project and expresses gratitude for the help offered by FFP.”

The Food for People Initiative Timeline

Prem Rawat talks about Food for People

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