The team at Y2K Tots Foundation, a 25-year-old child welfare NGO based out of Kochi in Kerala, had been closely observing a growing crisis among children from underprivileged families: Type 1 diabetes was on the rise, and the nutritional support needed to manage it was almost nonexistent.
A Collaboration Rooted in Purpose
Disturbed by what they were witnessing among the affected children in the communities they served, the foundation reached out to their long-standing collaborator, the Fresh Start Wellness Cafe — a wellness-focused enterprise engaged in the research and development of millet-based, health-friendly food products since 2021. Together, they asked a crucial question: Could a natural, millet-based diet become a dependable, lifelong support system for children battling this condition?
National Recognition and a Research-Led Approach
The two organizations, both known for bagging the “Social Venture of the Year Award,” the national recognition from the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) for their contributions to millet-based nutritional solutions for vulnerable populations, embarked on an intense three to four-month research phase. Their goal was to assess how various low-GI millets could help stabilize sugar levels, support weight gain, and reduce insulin dependency in Type 1 diabetic children.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes mellitus in India
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It requires lifelong management, involving multiple daily insulin injections, regular blood sugar monitoring, and carefully managed diets. India is now home to over 100,000 diagnosed children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, and that number is growing annually by 3–5%. For families living in poverty, managing the condition is almost impossible. Specialized diabetic-friendly food is expensive. And in many cases, parents are left to depend solely on insulin — without understanding the equally critical role of diet in managing the disease.
The Birth of DiaCare
This is where the DiaCare Project took shape — as a CSR-backed pilot initiative of Manappuram Foundation, which stepped forward to support the idea with full conviction.
The Launch and a Visionary Statement
The official launch of the DiaCare Project took place in January 2025, flagged off by Ms. Anu Kumari IAS, District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In her inaugural speech, she remarked:
“The success of this pilot project will open new dimensions in the treatment of this deadly disease and will be a beacon of hope not only for children with Type 1 diabetes but also for the diabetic community as a whole.”
From Concept to Action
The journey from concept to reality took over three months of scientific research, taste testing, and clinical consultation. The project was built around a monthly food kit formulated with identified low-GI millets. These millets were not only rich in nutrients but also known for their ability to stabilize blood sugar and support metabolism.
Renjith George, Managing Trustee of Y2K Tots Foundation and Founder of Fresh Start Wellness Cafe, emphasized the project’s deeper vision:
“We created an affordable, transformative millet-based model. These children deserve strength, energy, and dignity—not just survival."
Scientific Insights and Community Impact
Behind the project was rigorous fieldwork and research. Dr. Gayathri Suresh, team member at Y2K Tots Foundation and Research Associate for the DiaCare Project, explained:
"We consulted paediatricians, endocrinologists, and dietitians across Kerala. All agreed that diet is critical but neglected. Since Kerala has low millet consumption, this millet-based intervention for children fills a crucial gap. We're seeing children thrive, not just comply."
Testimonials That Speak Volumes
And thrive they did. The impact has been both measurable and deeply personal. Children have shown healthy weight gain, improved HbA1c levels, better energy and focus, reduced insulin dependence, and most importantly, a new confidence in managing their condition.
Saritha, a mother of a 10-year-old from Pathanamthitta, shared how her daughter had gained nearly 3 kilograms in the past three months, with reduced insulin needs and visibly higher energy.
Vimala, from Kollaml, noted her 6-year-old daughter’s HbA1c had dropped from 7.4 to 6.1, and her overall sugar levels were far more stable.
Elizabeth, from Neyyattinkara, said her son was finally able to “play without fear,” as sugar crashes became rare and his insulin dose was cut down significantly.
For many of these families, the DiaCare Project has not only helped their children but also triggered a complete family-wide lifestyle transformation.
A CSR Model That Delivers
Backing the Pilot project with the CSR funding was Manappuram Foundation, which believed that impactful CSR goes beyond funding — it should drive meaningful change, high-impact, low-cost intervention with deep social relevance.
Scaling the Vision
The success of the pilot program has shown remarkable improvements in participants’ health, including better glycemic control, improved energy levels, and reduced hospital visits. Equally transformative was the awareness created among parents.
After the success of the pilot project, y2k tots foundation is now preparing to scale the program to reach 1,000 children this year, and 5,000 more in the years to come. The goal is to normalize millet-based diabetic nutrition for vulnerable children across India.
“What we’ve done is give these families a way forward — not a short-term diet, but a lifelong lifestyle shift,” said Dr. Gayathri. “It’s simple. It’s local. And it’s working.”
A Bowl of Hope
As Trivandrum District collector Anu Kumari rightfully said during the launch, the DiaCare Project is more than a program — it is “a beacon of hope for the whole diabetics community.” And for every family that once felt powerless against a diagnosis, it has offered a healing truth:
Sometimes, the most powerful medicine isn’t found in a bottle, but in a bowl.
To know more about the project https://www.y2ktots.org/dia-care-project/
