Women’s Day Special: Meet Anchal Sharma, a Cancer Survivor From Delhi Who Started ‘Meals Of Happiness’ to Feed Slum Kids on a Daily Basis

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There are humans and then there are superhumans. Delhi girl Anchal Sharma definitely belongs to the latter category, because there is nothing ordinary about her. Having grown up in a humble family, where her father was an auto driver, Anchal today runs an NGO- Meals Of Happiness (MoH), through which she serves food to 100-200 underprivileged children daily. Growing up in a lower-middle-class family, Anchal faced many hardships but managed to secure a job in the real estate domain. In 2017, after having spent a decade in the real estate sector, Anchal’s life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. And as surprising as it may sound, that’s when MoH was born.

Image Source: facebook/mealsofhappinesscharitabletrust

The Humble Beginnings
Talking to us exclusively, Anchal recalls, “MoH was started when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Just after a week after I was diagnosed, I was at a traffic signal when I spotted street children begging. I refused to give them money but I could see how hungry they are. That’s when I conceived the idea for MoH. I actually bought chowmein for those kids back then and till date, I can’t forget the excitement on their faces! In fact, at that moment, I even forgot all about my cancer and decided that this is what I want to do. Feed these needy children.”

Hero Without a Cape!

But it’s easier said than done. Throughout her treatment and even during her chemo sessions, Anchal never missed a day of feeding these needy kids. In fact, she and her family, they are the only people who prepare these meals themselves and the entire procedure runs from their own savings!

Anchal told us, “I, along with my family, we cook the meals in the morning, with no extra hands. We all get up at 5:30 in the morning, prepare the meals and head out to distribute the food at the set locations. Also, twice a week we go to AIIMS hospital to feed around 500 people. We have a separate portion of our earnings which we use in MoH. I honestly feel that it’s because of these people’s blessings that today I have been cured of cancer. Every day, without fail, I distribute food in slums, hospitals, old age home, but I never get any infections or problems because of this.”

Impact Created By MoH

Currently Anchal feeds around 200 kids every day. She also told us that once a week they try to do n even wherein they feed 500-1000 people. She added, “We feed at Chattarpur slum, 3 different location in Vasant Kunj and Vasant Vihar, outside AIIMS hospital rainbaseras and sometimes in Gurgaon also.”
Talking about using her own savings for MoH, Anchal said, “Since day one we are using our own funds. At times friends come forward and sponsor a day’s meal when they want to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries. So, I even run a wedding choreography company, I make wedding return favour hampers, and I am even running a small company for cancer patients. And I use my earnings from these ventures for making meals for these children.”

There is a reason why Anchal has named it ‘Meals Of Happiness’. She explained, “We want to tell people that it’s meals of happiness and we’re working on malnourishment and hunger. Younger kids between the age of 3-5, their basic need is food. They don’t need education, they don’t need skill development at that age, but they do need food. And you’d be shocked to know that there are around 6 lakh children in Delhi-NCR who can barely manage two square meals a day! So, in the next couple of years, I want to feed 500 kids every day.”


Image Source: facebook/mealsofhappinesscharitabletrust

So, if you haven’t seen a hero without a cape before, we guess this is your chance! Anchal and her NGO also welcome any volunteer support who may want to help them in cooking, in donating raw material or monetary donations. So, if you feel for the cause, you can reach out to her at 9971799006.

Featured Image Source: Facebook/mealsofhappinesscharitabletrust

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