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 The final weeks were intensive: numerous exchanges of e-mails and texts between Milan, Biella, Fobello in Valsesia and Daddy's Home in Andhra Pradesh (India), all of them filled with respect and dedication.
We've reconstructed some of these exchanges in the links to the articles “India: a change in diet to improve health” and “Let's learn to make bread by using what little we have”. More than anyone, the person who contributed to this miracle and shares the daily work in Andhra Pradesh is Carol Faison.
In addition, Anna Zegna who represents the Fondazione Zegna, offers strong support for the project with Care and Share. Eugenio Pol and Federica Giacobino (authors of the book on Mountain Cooking) from the Vulaiga bread bakery of Valsesia laid down the practical foundations so that a skill learned by children would always belong to them. Attilio Speciani from Eurosalus offered guidelines for several dietary modifications which could be easily implemented, in keeping with the Indian traditions and their autonomy. These dietary variations were geared towards improving general health and helping to thwart the diabetes epidemic that is decimating the Indian population. The project also received help from the volunteers of the Associazione Pediatri di Famiglia per I bambini del mondo (Association of Family Pediatricians for children of the world): doctors who spend periods of time working in Indian villages, performing visits and check-ups on all of the inhabitants of the village (like Valeria, Roberto, Bruno).
The idea originated from an interpretation of the diet with which Carol came into contact on a daily basis in the two villages of Daddy's Home and Butterfly Hill. The first steps of the project were geared towards a careful consideration of how to modify the diet in such a way that it provided adequate nutritional value without contrasting the people's habits. The first contact from Eurosalus to the Zegna Foundation illustrated the possible ways of avoiding some of the most blatant errors (like the absence of raw fruit and vegetables in the diet) and the option of making use of locally available high protein content legumes (Groundnuts, similar to peanuts and highly suitable for supplementing the lack of protein in the diet).
The most emphatic suggestion was for the use of whole grain rice and flour. In a country such as India where the incidence of diabetes is growing at incredible rate (today almost everyone eats refined cereals), a return to its origins would allow for a diet based on foods with a low glycemic value and improve general health.
The other element that had to be faced was that of protein introduction. The most suitable and economical source could be eggs. However, the best situation that could be obtained in consideration of cost (even though low) and economic possibilities was that the children could eat three eggs per week, chicken once every two weeks, and fish once every three weeks. Eggs would be the most economic solution, and every single euro donated to Daddy's Home (clearly indicating the project for which it is intended) has a value finalized towards this scope: Health and autonomy.
Following this initiative, the bread project was born in an unexpected way. The guidelines offered by Eurosalus aroused great enthusiasm. The message that was sent out was not only of a technical nature, it also encouraged the modification of several habits. The goal was to make people aware of what they were eating and how the food was being prepared. This would help to improve the health and efficiency of these youths and children by making use of local produce as well as their own intelligence, not just cans and boxes that come from the West.
The growing enthusiasm led to the construction of the oven, followed by lessons on how to make “homemade” bread, and finally the input from Eugenio and Federica who, together with Chef Joel Bottan, coordinated the bread preparation. Joel also sought to create a dessert by making sponge cake with raisins. After a few failed attempts, the dessert was successfully baked for the great joy of all.
The joy felt by the people who believe in these children can also be felt by those who believe in the project from far away. By giving just 1 Euro, you can help make Daddy's Home a reality in terms of education and growth and not just a means of formal assistance.
You can help sponsor this project and specify to which area of the project you wish to donate. The money received by the Daddy's Home project will go straight into Christmas buns for these children...
An actual connection with food is the path by which everyone can show their love for people who are in need. Just like the bread, whole and baked with love for this Christmas...
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