Providing Nutrition for Lavendar

Lavendar is 8 years old and in Class 2 at The Menara School. Lavendar’s mother died when she was an infant, and she is being raised by a stepmother who has a total of 9 children to care for. Lavendar’s father is a casual work – he does odd jobs like carrying sand for those who will pay him.

Lavendar has nothing to eat for breakfast, and leaves her home by 6 am to walk for one hour to get to school. Prior to the nutrition program, she was malnourished and withdrawn. She lacked energy and had trouble staying awake in class. She was in poor health and also suffered from marasmus, a disease related to malnutrition. Her performance in school was also negatively impacted.

The nutrition program has made an enormous difference for Lavendar. In addition to lunch, she receives morning porridge to help her gain strength. Even if she is sick, she will walk to school because there is more for her to eat there than at home. Her class participation has greatly improvede and her teachers report steady progress in her scores and class rank. She is smiling more often!