The short period of 15 days is sufficient to cause child malnutrition; Social institutions have been an alternative for many families

With the start of school holidays, thousands of children in vulnerable situations face an additional challenge: uncertainty about their next meal. For many, school meals are not just a source of nutrition, but also a guarantee of dignified food. With schools closed during the break, this security is interrupted, leaving many families worried about what their children will eat during school-free days.

A bill is already being discussed in Congress to try to bring more relief and security to these families. It’s Bill 3,241/2023, which proposes extending the provision of school meals to weekends and holiday periods.

Marta Malaquias, a nutritionist at the Ramacrisna Institute, warns about the impacts of inadequate nutrition during this period: “School holidays can have a significant effect on child nutrition, especially in vulnerable families. During the school term, many children have access to free or subsidized meals through school meal programs, which ensure a regular and balanced source of nutrition. When schools close for holidays, these children lose this essential food source, which can exacerbate health problems such as malnutrition, anemia, and stress, affecting their overall well-being. It may seem minor, but 15 days without adequate food is enough to cause malnutrition in a child,” she explains.

But until legal support arrives, initiatives like those of the Ramacrisna Institute in Betim provide comfort to families. To mitigate these risks, the institution does not close its doors during holidays and continues to provide daily meals during this period for students. “We understand that our role goes beyond education, sports, and culture. It’s a moral duty to provide food security for the children in our community,” says Solange Bottaro, Vice President of the Ramacrisna Institute, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.

To encourage children’s participation, a lively summer camp is held with students. Packed with educational and recreational activities such as games, sports, cinema, and playtime, this initiative not only nourishes the body but also nurtures the minds and spirits of children, strengthening their resilience and sense of community. This edition will feature a different theme each week: superheroes; professions – with workshops for aspiring veterinarians and biologists, in partnership with the City’s Animal Protection Superintendence, child nutritionists, with workshops led by Ramacrisna’s nutritionist, football players, and mini chefs. The final week will focus on the animated movie Inside Out, exploring children’s emotions.

Activities begin on the 15th and continue until the end of the school holiday period. For Marinalva Rocha, mother of students Thailler and Thaila, the initiative not only helps ensure children’s food but also provides support and security so that parents can work during this period, as many have no one to leave their children with. “This initiative from the Institute helps us a lot. My husband and I work outside the home and wouldn’t know what to do with the kids if it weren’t for the summer camp. They’ll also have the opportunity to stay there full-time. And there’s also the food, which we often can’t maintain as well as they have there, especially at this age when they expend so much energy. It’s difficult for many families,” she says.