The Story

Shiraj, a child from a Delhi slum, was constantly ill and underweight. His baseline check-up in November, at 1 year and 2 months old, showed his health indicators were dangerously low, especially his Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) at just 5.5 cm, a critical sign of malnutrition. The first month showed a slow start, with minimal change, reflecting the deep challenge he faced. But between December and January, the consistent, nutrient-dense meals fueled a remarkable breakthrough: Shiraj gained an extraordinary 15 cm in height in just one month, a growth spurt rarely seen in this age group. His weight surged by 2.2 kg in that same period, and his MUAC made a joint-highest gain of 1.5 cm across the entire cohort. By February, Shiraj had achieved a total gain of +2.1 kg in weight and an incredible +16 cm in height—a testament to his body’s capacity to thrive when given the right support.