Sushila’s story

The promising student says that although she’s used to the distance now, the journey home would be an immense challenge for her on an empty stomach, so she’s very glad that she receives a meal every school day:

“I don’t get tired as I’m used to it now,” Sushila explains. “But if I didn’t get Mary’s Meals at lunchtime, I would struggle to have the energy to walk home.”

The young learner lives with her grandparents and uncle. Her father’s tragic death a few years ago left her mother unable to look after her. Sushila had never been to school before until she moved in with her relatives. It was them that heard about a school in the next village and, with her mom’s support, they organised for her to enrol. Her mother makes bricks to earn a living. She lives in a village a few hours from where Sushila is living, meaning they are only able to see each other once a year. Sushila says: “I feel happy at home, but I miss my mom and dad.”

Despite this, Sushila’s face brightens with a smile at the mention of how much she enjoys school. Hindi is her favourite subject: “it’s easy for me!” she exclaims. She has made good friends who she has fun with and who support her like Runita, her closest friend. Sushila says: “We study together, and we also play. I feel good when I’m with her.”

Mary’s Meals provides a daily meal for all the children at Sushila’s primary school and more than 65,000 children across India. The promise of a daily meal each day at a place of learning is especially valuable for households with unpredictable incomes. Mary’s Meals is there to support Sushila, her classmates, and her fellow students across the country as they build robust foundations for the future in the classroom. Sushila concludes: “There are many times when I don’t eat before school, so, when I eat here, I get energy and feel good.”