STORY PREVIEW

2024

"The Student Canteen Initiative: Turning Challenges into Opportunities".

Fajr Academy

Karachi/ Sindh

MENTOR

Nimra Talha

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

The following challenges were identified by the Grade 7 boys during their brainstorming session: Electricity shortage in Pakistan. Not enough supply of gas. Littering around. No cafeteria in school. Global warming. Pollution.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

After voting, the boys selected the problem that bothered them the most: "No cafeteria in school." This issue was chosen because students often faced difficulty finding hygienic, affordable, and convenient food options during school hours. They believed having a cafeteria or food service would make their school experience more enjoyable and promote healthy eating habits.

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

The primary people affected by the absence of a cafeteria were the students of the school, especially those in the secondary section. Their main concerns included: The lack of affordable and hygienic food options during breaks. Reliance on unhealthy snacks brought from home or purchased outside. Missing out on the opportunity to have fresh meals in school.

Step 2 Imagine

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

The students brainstormed and listed the following solutions to address the problem: Building a canteen. Setting up a small food stall. Hiring a chef to cook fresh meals. Arranging a food vendor to supply food daily.

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

The boys decided to set up a small food stall offering homemade food at economical prices. This solution was chosen because it was practical, cost-effective, and promoted healthy eating habits. It also aligned with their limited resources, making it a feasible option to implement quickly.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

The boys initially started by setting up a food stall where they sold homemade meals prepared by their mothers. However, after a week, they realized their mothers were burdened by the effort required to cook for 15 to 25 people every 2-3 days. To solve this, the boys approached secondary section students to collaborate. Each group prepared food only once a week, distributing the workload evenly. The boys managed the stall operations, created weekly menus for convenience, and ensured a smooth rotation system, making the canteen a sustainable solution.

What was the result or impact of your project?

The boys successfully established a student-run canteen that has been operating smoothly for a year. It provides hygienic, affordable food options to students while promoting a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. The initiative not only addressed the issue of having no cafeteria but also taught the boys valuable skills in managing a business and working collaboratively.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

"The student-run canteen is a wonderful initiative. The food is fresh, affordable, and convenient, and it’s inspiring to see the boys working so hard to make it a success." – School Teacher "I love the homemade food from the stall. It’s so much better than buying unhealthy snacks, and it feels great knowing it’s prepared by fellow students." – Grade 9 Student

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

The main challenge was the burden on the boys' mothers, who had to prepare meals for a large group of students every 2-3 days. To address this, the boys collaborated with students from other classes, allowing each group to prepare food only once a week. This reduced the workload for everyone involved. They also faced the challenge of organizing operations and ensuring fairness, which they overcame by creating a weekly menu and establishing a rotation schedule for food preparation.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

15-30 Days

Which global goals does your story align with?

Good health and well being

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

The project aligns with the global goal of decent work and economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship and teaching the boys essential skills in managing a business. It also aligns with good health and well-being by promoting the availability of hygienic and healthy food options for students, encouraging better eating habits.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

We shared our project by running the food stall regularly and promoting the idea that students can achieve anything with determination. The weekly menus are shared with the school, and teachers and parents are kept informed about the initiative. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers appreciating our responsibility and students enjoying the convenience of fresh, homemade meals. Parents also valued the collaborative approach, which reduced the burden on any one family.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

To sustain the impact, we plan to continue the rotation system, ensuring fairness and equal participation. We will update the menu based on student feedback and maintain quality control. By encouraging younger grades to take over when we graduate, we aim to ensure the canteen remains a long-term initiative. We also plan to explore small fundraising activities to expand the canteen in the future and provide even more options for students.

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