How poor families survive during the summer without school meals
The article discusses how poor families in rural Argentina cope during summer when school meals are unavailable, often resorting to hunting for food.
The article highlights the struggles faced by poor families in the rural area of Impenetrable Chaqueño, Argentina, specifically during the summer months when school meal programs are paused. Parents like Susana Paz express relief when their children return to school, as the meal program alleviates their burden of providing food during this challenging period. Hunting has become a necessity for these families, who rely on what little they can catch to survive.
In conversations with community members, the harsh realities of life without reliable food sources come to light. Diego Armando Mercado shares the grim truth that survival often hinges on desperate measures, like hunting animals, to put food on the table. This underscores the broader social and economic issues in rural Argentina, where poverty levels impact basic needs such as nutrition.
As summer drags on, families navigate financial constraints and scarcity, with the community's resilience on display despite the hardships. The article emphasizes the need for continued financial support and programming that ensures all children have access to nutritious meals throughout the year, rather than only during the school term.