School Meals Program Reaches 1M Students Across Malawi, Officials Say
The program provides one meal daily to primary school students, aiming to boost attendance and educational outcomes in a country where childhood hunger remains a significant challenge.
DOWA, Malawi — Mary's Meals International has expanded its school feeding program to serve more than 1 million students across 1,185 schools in Malawi, program officials announced Monday during a school inspection, writes Rabecca Kaunda Mwafulirwa.
Vice President Michael Usi praised the program's impact during a visit to Changalu Primary School in Dowa district.
"This is not just feeding, but it is a display of love," Usi said, emphasising the importance of creating supportive learning environments for students.
The initiative, which began in 2002, plans to add 300 more schools serving 300,000 additional students, according to Mary's Meals International CEO Magnus Macfarlane Barrow.
Basic and Secondary Education Minister Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima credited the program with reducing absenteeism and improving academic performance.
"Feeding a child in school is one of the pillars that has helped a lot on enrollment, attendance and performance," Wirima said, noting the ministry has incorporated school feeding into its strategic planning.
The program provides one meal daily to primary school students, aiming to boost attendance and educational outcomes in a country where childhood hunger remains a significant challenge.