Date: 16th July 2025
Location: Anjuman Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai
As part of its ongoing community outreach efforts, the Sunyatee International Foundation carried out the 28th engagement activity under the ODOC (One Dollar One Child) Project on 16th July 2025. The visit was held at Anjuman Matriculation Higher Secondary School, a trust-run educational institution serving over 500 children in Chennai.
Introducing the ODOC Mission
The primary goal of this visit was to introduce the ODOC Project’s mission to combat child malnutrition through structured, school-based health interventions. The ODOC team met with Principal Ms. Mumtaz and held a detailed discussion on how the project works, its positive health outcomes in previous schools, and the potential impact it could have on the well-being of students at Anjuman Matriculation.
The principal responded with genuine interest and appreciation, acknowledging the project’s child-centered, community-driven approach. She recognized its relevance, especially in schools serving large numbers of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Exploring Opportunities and Facing Limitations
At the principal’s suggestion, the ODOC team also approached the school’s in-house medical officer to seek approval for conducting BMI screenings and health assessments. However, the school follows a strict policy prohibiting external health programs on campus. This decision stems from previous experiences with multiple organizations, which prompted the management to limit such engagements for operational consistency and safety.
As a result, direct assessments could not be conducted at this stage. Still, the interaction with school authorities was marked by mutual respect and openness to future possibilities.
Building Awareness and Long-Term Relationships
Although immediate implementation was not possible, the school extended moral support to the ODOC initiative. The visit succeeded in raising awareness about the importance of nutritional interventions in schools and helped establish a foundation of trust and communication between the institution and the Foundation.
This engagement is a crucial first step toward future collaboration, should school policies change or allow for flexibility in the future.
Conclusion: Every Step Matters in Community Outreach
The 28th engagement under the ODOC Project stands as a reminder that progress is not always measured by immediate outcomes. Sometimes, the most meaningful impact lies in showing up, listening, and building trust.
Through this visit, Sunyatee International Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advocacy, relationship-building, and the long-term goal of improving child health through sustainable models like the ODOC (One Dollar One Child) initiative.
Even without on-site assessments, the interaction contributed to a growing network of schools aware of the project’s goals—ensuring that when the time is right, partnerships can take root. Because when it comes to child health and community change, every conversation counts, and every connection matters.
