With a smile Rosita explains that the soup kitchen taught her, “how to treat people and how they should treat her.” That phrase, so simple yet so powerful, reflects the true impact of the support she received.
At just 8-years-old, Rosita is the youngest of four siblings and has been attending the Santa Ana Dining Hall in Cañete, Peru, supported by the Chalice nutrition program since she was five. For Rosita, the dining hall isn’t just a place where she receives food; it is the refuge where she began to discover who she is and how much she is worth.
At Santa Ana the staff hold workshops on bullying, empathy, nutrition, and other topics to ensure the children receive food for thought to go along with the food in their belly. For Rosita this training came just when she needed it the most. At a time when insecurity and silence seemed to be her constant companions, the dining hall became her voice, her guide, and her school of life. There, she learned to recognize when something was wrong, to stand up for herself without hurting others, to value her emotions, and above all, to believe in herself.
Thanks to the training and constant assistance, Rosita developed self-esteem, confidence, and a new and bright way of seeing the world. Her family has noticed the change: a stronger, more aware, and happier girl. A girl who has discovered that she deserves respect, opportunities, and love.
Thank you, lunch buddies, for helping Rosita and other kids like her who receive kind, loving care along with a hot meal. Nourishment of the body and soul will fuel the world with the next generation of leaders.