From December 2021 onward, AHANI embarked on a pilot program in V.C. Patel School, Anand where over 70 students enrolled for a fun-filled journey toward knowledge gaining in the area of basic nutrition and physical health. The pilot started with capturing the demographic details of the students and subsequent sessions including quizzards and activities revolving around SDGs in Nutrition and Environmental Health.

The first phase of this program ended with a culmination event organized on March 25, 2022. Key speakers and dignitaries included Dr. Sulabha Natraj, Former Principal and Professor at Waymade College of Education, and Dr. Salma Paleja, Vice Principal, V.C. Patel School.

Dr. Ruchi Vaidya, who led the entire program on behalf of AHANI India, shared the results of nutritional survey conducted among the participants. Interestingly, she said that over 20% boys and 13% girls were either overweight or obese while 10% boys were thin for their age and height. She also informed that at the end of the phase 1, there was a 26% rise in the awareness among the students on important lifestyle habits such as sleep, eating breakfast and conscious eating. Students who participated in the program also shared their experiences and learnings from the program. Students who demonstrated extraordinary participation in the program were also felicitated with prizes.

Check out some news coverage of the event below!