Food for Thought by Dahlia
June 18, 2009
Being a Registered Dietitian, I am usually thinking about food so I figured I would write about the same. I had an amazing opportunity to travel to the slums of Ghaziabad, India back in January on a goodwill mission with seven wonderful New Yorkers. This trip was truly life changing. Having been to various parts of India during the past five years I had no qualms about going. My anxiety mostly resided in the fear of contracting a food-borne illness from the consumption of raw items or tap water (which never happened!).
Once in India, mealtimes quickly became my favorite part of the day because it brought the HFI team and ADF staff together around one big table. I enjoyed listening to everyone’s experiences and witnessing the team’s response to the food which mostly consisted of rice, lentil curry (daal), vegetables, indian bread (poori & chappati) and occasionally, chicken. The meals were delicious and homemade!
While in India I was able to make two observations from a nutritional standpoint. I did not see the kids eating any fruits during the two weeks the team was in India nor was plain milk given (they were served tea with milk instead). After returning to the U.S. I emailed one of the ADF staff to inquire about this and her response broke my heart. She replied that they tried to provide a serving of fruit once a week but this is often not possible because it was too expensive to purchase in addition to the daily staples (rice, lentils and vegetables). As far as milk goes, it was only given to the weaker children and those identified by the community doctor. When I compared the situation in India with the situation in the U.S. (5 a Day and Got Milk? campaigns) I was reminded of how blessed I am in New York City.
For most, food is available almost 24/7 to the point of excess. One of the most touching experiences I had was on the last night of our trip. It was Friday evening and the team was enjoying the farewell celebration that ADF organized in the team’s honor. At the end of the festivities there was a special meal arranged for all 95 children. They were all served and eating while the team was going to eat later. I was walking around greeting all the girls while they ate. When one of the girls realized I hadn’t eaten, she began taking rice and curry in her hand from her own plate ready to feed me. This is a traditional way how mothers feed their children, with their hands. I was touched by the kind gesture and assured her that I was eating at a later time with the rest of the team. Months later, I am still moved when I think about that night. These children did not get special meals often and for them to offer to feed me, a rich American, blew my mind. What love and compassion!
It’s impossible to express everything I felt and experienced in India during those two weeks but going there was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I went to India to feed and help the poor but instead I was the one who was fed and helped. My spirit is now full of hope and excitement about the future of ADF and the children who touched my heart.
-Dahlia
Team 2009 Witness
