A healthy meal does far more than satisfy hunger. For a growing child, it provides the strength to pursue future possibilities. Yet across India, many children lack consistent access to the nutrition they need to grow and thrive, putting their health and development at risk. Thankfully, for 150 marginalized young girls in the country, access to nutritious meals and essential healthcare is helping change that.
Caring friends like you make it possible for our missionaries to create a stronger foundation for children at the Don Bosco Girls Hostel in Nalgonda, India. Nutritional support is being provided for 150 disadvantaged girls, many of whom were found to be undernourished. All receive three meals each day, while 50 girls who were severely malnourished were provided with nutritional supplements. A full-time nurse now offers routine health monitoring, first aid, counseling, hygiene support, and other services.
For 12-year-old Anjali, the difference has been life-changing. She credits the hostel’s balanced meals with making her “stronger and healthier.” The Don Bosco Girls Hostel has become a second home where girls feel “safe, loved and respected.” Anjali now dreams of building a successful career and inspiring other girls in her community to continue their education.
This is an important step forward in the fight to alleviate a crisis that continues to affect a vast number of children across the country. In India, 40% of children between the ages of 6–23 months experience severe malnutrition. Additionally, nearly 70% of boys and girls under age 5 are anemic. For children already facing poverty and oppression, access to nutritious food and reliable healthcare can provide a critical foundation for a better future.
“When children do not have adequate nutrition, it can affect nearly every part of their development,” explains Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “The day-to-day work of our missionaries is giving these girls the nourishment and care they need to grow stronger today and prepare for everything they hope to accomplish tomorrow.”
There is still much work to be done to ensure vulnerable children are nourished, protected and cared for. But for these 150 girls, better health is already creating new possibilities and giving them newfound strength and hope.
Learn more about our work in India.
Our mission is to ensure that vulnerable children and young people receive essential nutrition and care to help them succeed in school — and in life. What’s your mission?
