United Way Mumbai NGO sets up kitchen gardens for tribal anganwadis

MUMBAI: The NGO United Way Mumbai (UWM) devised a fruitful way to celebrate World Environment Day - June 5. It set up kitchen gardens in seven anganwadi centres in Panvel to benefit malnourished tribal and rural children who eat mid-day meals here.

Approximately 30 saplings were planted at each anganwadi to match the average number of students. Each child and his parents were entrusted one sapling and asked to bring an extra glass of water to school to nurture it in order to foster participation and responsibility.

The campaign will provide vegetables, fruits and medicinal herbs to students aged 2-6. Anil Parmar, director, community investment, United Way Mumbai, said, "We planted saplings and seeds of items that have high nutritional or medicinal value that tribal communities traditionally have not had access to. Like tomato, beetroot, brinjal, lady finger, bitter gourd, cucumber, radish as well as lime, papaya, curry leaves -- and tulsi for its medicinal properties and religious significance."

This drive was part of UWM's Project Poshan campaign in collaboration with the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Around 300 villagers, ICDS officials and 95 employees of various corporates participated.