Nutrition Program

The Free To Be Kids team provided nutritious meals to children after their tuition classes to support their health and well-being. The program maintains strict hygiene standards in food preparation to ensure safety and reliability.

Key Achievements of the Month

In August 2026, the project provided 1,076 nutritious meals to children across all operating areas, ensuring regular meal support 4–5 days a week and serving up to 282 meals per week to meet their ongoing nutritional needs.

Key Achievements of the Month

In August 2026, the Education and Nutrition Program in Salt Lake supported 184 children across 7 Centres, with 84% average weekly attendance and 4 new enrolments. Children continued to progress in literacy, numeracy, language, and foundational learning. A key milestone was the school admission of a 5 year old girl. The program also provided academic counselling to out-of-school children and recognised 7 outstanding students for their academic growth, regularity, and positive behaviour.

Program Name: Independence Day Celebration – 15 August 2026

On 15 August 2026, Free To Be Kids organized an Independence Day Celebration at the Free To Be Kids Main Campus, bringing together children, community members, staff, and special guests in a spirit of patriotism, unity, and togetherness. A total of 192 participants, including 118 females and 74 males, took part in the celebration.

The program began with the hoisting of the National Flag by Mr. Binu A.S., followed by the singing of the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty then spoke about the significance of Independence Day and the importance of freedom, responsibility, and opportunities for children.

The cultural program commenced with a warm welcome to Mr. Binu A.S., Managing Trustee of Free To Be Kids; Mrs. Lalita Binu, Trustee Member; and special guests Mr. Anindya, Mrs. Swagata, and Mr. Aswin. They were felicitated with scarves and tokens of appreciation as a gesture of gratitude for their presence and support. Following the welcome, Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty presented an overview of the work carried out by Free To Be Kids across all its target areas and shared the annual outcomes and key achievements from each project. This provided the guests and community members with an insight into the progress and impact of FTBK’s program. One beneficiary from each project shared their life-changing story and spoke about how the support received from Free To Be Kids had positively influenced their lives.

Following this, Mrs. Swagata encouraged the children to choose the more challenging path in life through education, discipline, and hard work. She explained that while an easy path may appear comfortable, choosing to study, remain disciplined, and work hard can create better opportunities for a brighter future. Her inspiring message encouraged the children to embrace challenges and work towards their goals.

The children enthusiastically participated in the cultural activities, presenting patriotic dance performances and a drama on the life and sacrifice of Khudiram Bose. Pratusha, a girl from the FTBK Education Project, also delivered a short speech.

The celebration concluded on a joyful note with a special lunch graciously provided by Mr. Anindya and Mrs. Swagata for all participants. The shared meal created a warm and inclusive opportunity for the children, community members, staff, and guests to come together, spend quality time, and celebrate the occasion in a spirit of togetherness and happiness.

    In July 2026, FTBK continued to provide needs-based support to beneficiaries under the Disability Project, focusing on healthcare, education, and ongoing case follow-up. One beneficiary was supported to consult a doctor at SSKM Hospital, while another beneficiary received the required books for his fourth semester to continue his studies and food assistance. The team also followed up on the admission processes of two young women to support their access to education. In addition, caregivers of all beneficiaries received regular, needs-based guidance and support, helping ensure their well-being and continued participation in education and other essential services.

Program Name: Tree Plantation Programme 

Free To Be Kids, in collaboration with the Inner Wheel Club of Behala, successfully organized a Tree Plantation Programme on 7 July 2026 at Krishnarampur. The programme was attended by 25 women participants along with members and representatives of both organizations.

The programme was graced by the presence of Mr. Binu A.S., Managing Trustee of Free To Be Kids, Mrs. Ruma Roy Chowdhury, President of the Inner Wheel Club of Behala, and other esteemed members of the club.

The programme began with an awareness session conducted by Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty, who spoke on the importance of tree plantation and environmental conservation. He highlighted the alarming increase in natural calamities, changing weather patterns, environmental degradation, and various forms of pollution affecting the world today. He emphasized that planting and nurturing trees is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment and ensure a healthier future for the coming generations.

Following his address, Mrs. Ruma Roy Chowdhury encouraged all participants to instill the habit of planting trees in their children so that the legacy of environmental conservation continues across generations. She also spoke about the importance of financial discipline and advised the women to develop the habit of saving a portion of their income, as savings can provide valuable support during times of need.

As part of the programme, the members of the Inner Wheel Club of Behala distributed one sapling to each of the 25 women participants. To promote the habit of regular savings, each participant was also provided with a savings box. The programme concluded with a tree plantation activity, where the members of Free To Be Kids, the Inner Wheel Club of Behala, and the participants jointly planted saplings, reaffirming their commitment to environmental sustainability and community development.

The programme was highly appreciated by the participants and successfully promoted awareness on environmental protection as well as financial preparedness among women.

Program Name: Special Nutrition Support Program 

The Nutrition Support Program was successfully organized on 10 July 2026 at the FTBK project site with the objective of providing a nutritious and balanced meal to children enrolled in the FTBK Education & Nutrition Project while promoting healthy eating habits, improving their well-being, and creating a joyful and caring environment. The program was generously sponsored by Mrs. Sheila Rodrigues, who celebrated her husband's birthday by sharing the happiness of the occasion with the children. The FTBK team and local stakeholders spent quality time interacting with the beneficiaries, creating a warm and memorable experience. A special Chicken Biriyani lunch was served to all participating children, combining nutrition with enjoyment. A total of 40 children, including 16 boys and 24 girls, benefited from the program. The children actively participated, enjoyed the meal, and expressed their happiness throughout the event. The initiative not only addressed the children's nutritional needs but also reinforced the importance of proper nutrition for healthy growth while demonstrating the positive impact that compassionate donors can make in the lives of vulnerable children.

Program Name: Mother & Child Care Program Report

On 28 July 2026, Free To Be Kids, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Behala, successfully organised a Mother & Child Care Program at Srijani. A total of 92 beneficiaries participated in the program, comprising 32 mothers, 37 girls, and 23boys.

The program commenced with a warm welcome to the President of Rotary Club of Behala, Mrs Shakuntala Ghosh Hazra, along with Dr Ruchi Gupta and Dr Gargi Das. They were honoured with scarves and tokens of appreciation in recognition of their valuable support and commitment to the program.

The health awareness session was led by Dr Ruchi Gupta, who interacted with the mothers on various aspects of maternal and child health. She enquired about their childbirth experiences and discussed the importance of avoiding unnecessary Caesarean deliveries whenever medically possible. She also encouraged the mothers to seek maternal healthcare services at government hospitals whenever possible.

Dr Gupta further highlighted the importance of healthy eating habits for children. During the interactive discussion, many mothers shared that their children preferred fast food to vegetables and home-cooked meals. In response, Dr Gupta advised them to prepare nutritious home-cooked food in ways that appealed to the tastes and preferences of today's children. She patiently listened to the concerns raised by the mothers and provided practical guidance on improving children's dietary habits.

Following the awareness session, Dr Ruchi Gupta conducted health check-ups for all the children and prescribed medicines according to each child's medical condition. Dr Gargi Das examined all the mothers and provided vitamins and other necessary medicines based on their individual health requirements.

To support the well-being of all participants, Free To Be Kids served a nutritious special meal to every mother and child attending the program.

Free To Be Kids sincerely expresses its gratitude to Rotary Club of Behala, Mrs Shakuntala Ghosh Hazra, Dr Ruchi Gupta, and Dr Gargi Das for their generous support and valuable contribution in making the program a success.     

Program Name: Free Eye Check- Up Camp Report

On 19 July 2026, Free To Be Kids, in collaboration with Sundarban Chokhu Hospital, organized a Free Eye Check-up Camp at Krishnarampur. A total of 68 community members participated in the programme, including 48 females and 20 males.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome to Mr. Binu A.S., Managing Trustee of Free To Be Kids, and Mr. Sanatan, District Manager of Sundarban Chokhu Hospital, by presenting them with scarves and tokens of appreciation. The team also extended the same gesture to the attending doctors and nursing staff in recognition of their valuable support and dedicated service.

During the camp, each participant underwent an individual eye examination conducted by qualified ophthalmologists. Based on the diagnosis, participants requiring corrective spectacles were able to place their orders on-site at an affordable cost.

A total of seven patients were diagnosed with cataracts and recommended for cataract surgery. They were provided with surgery dates and informed about the free treatment facilities available through Sundarban Chokhu Hospital. The hospital will arrange complimentary transportation from the patients' homes to the hospital on the scheduled surgery date and ensure their safe return home after the operation. The cataract surgery, transportation, and related services will be provided completely free of charge.

The camp successfully facilitated the early detection of eye-related problems and improved access to quality eye care services for the local community, particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals. Through this initiative, seven patients requiring cataract surgery were also connected with life-changing treatment at no cost, reinforcing the programme's commitment to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting better eye health.

During June 2026, the Krishnarampur Tailoring Programme supported 16 enrolled women, achieving a peak weekly attendance rate of 75%. Participants made steady progress in blouse-making through practical training on measurements, pattern drawing, paper cutting, and cloth cutting. A key achievement of the month was the progress of Piu Mondal, who joined the programme with only basic sewing machine knowledge and has now learned to independently take garment measurements and stitch a variety of clothing items.

On 10 to 12 June 2026, Free To Be Kids Charitable Trust organised a three-day Staff Capacity Building Programme at Mandarmani with the participation of 27 staff members, volunteers, and management team members. The programme combined capacity-building sessions on resilience, teamwork, and community development with recreational and team-building activities. Participants gained practical insights into addressing field challenges, strengthened their commitment to purpose-driven community service, and returned with renewed motivation, stronger team relationships, and enhanced collaboration.