Mary’s Meals launches appeal to help schoolchildren in South Sudan

Continuing violence that broke out with the 2013 civil war has meant 70% of children at primary school age, and particularly girls, are not in education^[1]. Unesco predicts that thousands more are at risk of dropping out.

By offering free school meals, the charity aims to encourage children back into the classroom. Its mission is to get children out of a cycle of poverty by ensuring they receive an education.

Each day, Mary’s Meals is already feeding 70,000 children in South Sudan.

Daniel Adams, executive director of Mary’s Meals, said: “Our nutritious meals are giving children in South Sudan the energy to learn, hope for a better future and some respite from the immense difficulty of everyday life.

“We are determined to reach even more little ones with our life-changing meals. To do this, we need your support.”

Mary’s Meals began in a shed in Argyll in 2002, with a programme to provide food for two schools in Malawi, feeding 200 children with daily meals.

The charity now feeds hungry children in 20 countries like Yemen, Malawi, Liberia, Kenya, Zambia, Myanmar, Uganda, South Sudan and Romania.

The average global cost for Mary’s Meals to feed a child for an academic year is £15.90.

At least 93% of donations to Mary’s Meals goes directly to charitable activities.

In South Sudan, Mary’s Meals works with local organisations like Diocese of Rumbek and Mary Help Association to provide food for 114 schools in regions of refuge including Warrap and the Lakes States, serving maize and beans to pupils.

Moses, who works for Diocese of Rumbek, said: “Many schools were destroyed by the conflict. I have visited new primary schools that have been built far away from the towns, in make-shift sheds and under trees.”

On the children returning to school, Moses said: “They jumped with joy – dancing, singing and shouting. They were so eager to learn and attendance at the schools is rising because of the promise of a good meal.”

Sisters Abak and Aping are an example of this charity’s successful work: they enrolled in school last year, attracted by the Mary’s Meals school feeding programme. Aping, who is 12 and in primary two, said: “The only food we get in a day is from Mary’s Meals. That is what made us join the school since we don’t have food at home.”

These sisters live with their weak and ageing grandmother, who can only provide them with modest food from a small vegetable patch. When there is a larger harvest, they sell their produce to buy soap and salt.

To donate to the Mary’s Meals South Sudan Appeal, please visit marysmeals.org.uk/south-sudan-appeal or phone 0800 698 1212.

References

1. ^{^} education (www.thenational.scot)