Smiley Children Society Deficiency Awareness Program for Kids in Mandapeta

Smiley Children Society Deficiency Awareness Program for Kids in Mandapeta: Mandapet, Andhra Pradesh – March 2025 A nutrition fair focusing on raising awareness about iodine deficiency-related diseases in children was successfully organized at SSVV Municipal High School and Teedo Apartments in Mandapet. The event was conducted under the Institute for Global Development (IGD) Delhi and coordinated by IGD Konaseema District Coordinator K. Srinivas.

Smiley Children Society Program for Kids

Speaking about the importance of such initiatives, Prudhvi Moses, Founder of Smiley Children Society, stated: “Educating children about the role of nutrition, particularly the importance of iodine, is crucial in preventing health disorders. Awareness programs like these play a key role in shaping healthier futures for the next generation.” Health & Nutrition Awareness for Students During the program, School Headmistress Latha emphasized the need for healthy eating habits among children.

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“If children want to stay healthy, they must pay attention to their diet. Organizing a nutrition fair in our school has been an excellent initiative to help children understand the benefits of consuming nutritious food,” she said, appreciating IGD’s efforts in organizing the event. Iodine is an essential nutrient that plays a significant role in the development of a child’s brain and overall growth. A deficiency of iodine can lead to cognitive impairments, goiter, and developmental delays.

The nutrition fair aimed to educate children, parents, and teachers about the importance of iodine in their daily diet. Experts at the event discussed how iodized salt, dairy products, fish, and eggs can help maintain adequate iodine levels in the body. Interactive Activities and Health Awareness The event featured several interactive sessions and health-focused activities, ensuring that the children learned in an engaging and fun way.

Kids Fund & Learn

These included health checkups, where students underwent height and weight measurements to assess their nutritional status.

Healthy Cooking Demonstrations: Nutritionists and health experts showcased easy-to-make, nutritious meals using locally available ingredients.
Know Your Food: A session educating students on different food groups, their benefits, and the role of iodine in a healthy diet.
Nutritional Awareness: Understanding which nutrients come from which foods and how deficiencies can affect the body.
Engaging Games & Quizzes: A ring game and quiz competition were conducted, testing students’ knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating habits. Prizes were awarded to the winners to encourage participation and learning.
Community Involvement and Support: The program was attended by teachers, students, and IGD staff, including Lavanya, Divya, Sunitha, Kalyani, and Subbayamma. Their active participation and enthusiasm contributed to the event’s success.

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Smiley Children Society’s Key Role in Deficiency Awareness Program for Kids

Additionally, volunteers and local community members played a key role in ensuring the smooth execution of the awareness sessions. A spokesperson from the Andhra Pradesh Health Department acknowledged the initiative, stating that such programs align with India’s National Health Mission (NHM), which focuses on reducing child malnutrition and improving maternal and child health. Prudhvi Moses reiterated the commitment of Smiley Children Society to continue working on child health awareness and nutrition programs in rural areas. “This is just the beginning.

Deficiency Awareness Program for Kids Goal

We aim to take this initiative to more schools and communities to ensure that every child has access to the right knowledge and nutrition. Early awareness and preventive measures can significantly impact the future health of children,” he added. Future Expansion Plans Following the success of this event, IGD and Smiley Children Society plan to expand similar awareness programs to other districts in Andhra Pradesh.

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Smiley Children Society Upcoming Initiatives

Upcoming initiatives include: Monthly health and nutrition awareness programs in schools. Workshops for parents and teachers to emphasize the importance of a balanced diet. Partnerships with local health departments to provide free health screenings for children. The event served as a major step forward in educating children and the community about the importance of iodine and proper nutrition. By fostering a culture of health awareness, such initiatives contribute to long-term improvements in child health and well-being.