Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI) has expanded its nutrition-integrated life skills education programme for adolescents and young adults following a pilot in Bhubaneswar.

Through a Training of Trainers initiative, 26 NGO partners and 53 trainers have been prepared to deliver structured modules in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. The programme focuses on the connection between nutrition and well-being, covering topics such as healthy eating habits, hygiene, clean cooking practices and awareness of ultra-processed, high-fat and high-calorie foods.

“Adolescence is a second window of opportunity to shape nutritional and health outcomes and address gaps from early childhood. Through this initiative, we aim to build agency among young people so they can make informed choices about food and their personal well-being,” said Dola Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer, Rise Against Hunger India.

He said the programme also aims to encourage leadership among adolescents, enabling them to act as role models within their communities.

The initiative is delivered through schools, community centres and youth groups using a cascade model, with trained NGO partners and peer educators conducting sessions at the community level. It forms part of RAHI’s wider nutrition strategy, alongside efforts to provide nutritious meals, reinforcing links between nourishment, learning outcomes and development.

Each trained educator will work with 40 to 50 adolescents, guiding them through a ten-part module delivered via group activities and peer learning sessions. With 26 NGO partners involved, the programme is expected to reach more than 1,000 adolescents in its initial phase.

Over the past decade, Rise Against Hunger India has served more than 40 million meals and reached 3.8 million people through food security and livelihood programmes in partnership with grassroots organisations and humanitarian agencies.

Inputs from PTI

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