Ruby, a mother from Delhi’s Trilokpuri area, faced a daily challenge—balancing her limited budget while providing healthy meals for her children, who often craved junk food. Their diet primarily consisted of processed snacks such as those easily available in stores and on streets. This started to leave them with low energy and frequent illnesses affecting them both physically, mentally, and placing a massive burden on their academic outputs.

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Her perspective shifted when she attended Project Buniyaad’s workshops on affordable nutrition. The sessions taught Ruby simple ways to prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals using locally available ingredients. Inspired, she began incorporating healthier options into her family’s routine, like bajra and sesame ladoos and vegetable-packed parathas.

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The change was transformative. Ruby’s children started enjoying the new snacks, and their energy levels and overall health improved. She also noticed a reduction in their cravings for junk food, a result of the balanced meals she now provided.

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Ruby’s journey underscores the critical role of educating mothers in urban slum communities about nutrition. By learning to prioritize health without straining finances, she not only improved her family’s well-being but also became a role model for other women in her neighborhood. Ruby’s success demonstrates how initiatives like Project Buniyaad can create healthier, more resilient urban communities, not just by providing nutritious food but also foods that children can enjoy.