In a small village in South Asia, Seema’s kitchen was usually filled with sounds and smells of life—the crackle of a stove, the mouthwatering aroma of a freshly prepared meal, and the laughter of hungry children, ready to eat. That used to be every day in Seema’s kitchen, until a crisis left it quiet.
Seema is a single mother who lost her husband years ago and has since become the sole provider for her children. She gets up early to work in nearby houses, washing dishes, cleaning clothes, or doing whatever she could to earn an income to provide.
Amid this daily grind, one thing she could rely on was the gas stove in her home, which let her easily cook for her family. But when the global oil crisis hit, propane cooking fuel became scarce in their village.
Cooking gas nearly disappeared from the market, and what little was available sold for five times the normal price. Long lines formed before sunrise, and people waited hours, hoping there would be some left by the time they reached the front. But this wasn’t an option for Seema. Waiting in line meant losing a day’s wage, a sacrifice she could not afford.
As sacks of rice and grains sat untouched in Seema’s home, her children asked her, “Amma, when will we eat?” Looking at her silent kitchen, Seema did not have an answer.
She did whatever she could to provide food for her children, including searching for wood after a long day’s work, so at least she could cook over a fire. But this laborious task did not always yield the results she hoped for. Some days she couldn’t find enough, some days the wood was too wet, and on days she did find wood, cooking took much longer and the smoke from the fire filled her eyes.
Hungry, discouraged, and exhausted, Seema’s family was in desperate need of help and hope.
Thankfully, that hope came in the form of One More Child’s daycare center near the village. As Seema worked, her children came here and received the food and nourishment they needed. With compassionate care, the daycare center also provided school supplies and other necessities, while building strong relationships in the community.
Seema now comes home from working all day assured her children received a good meal, love, and care. Though the stove still sits silent, renewed hope now fills the home.