Tubmanburg, Bomi County – A year ago, Mary’s Meals received a fund of four million United States dollars (USD $4m) for a two-year implementation of an extended school feeding program project by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) across five operational counties.
By Jaheim T. Tumu
The counties, mainly Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Margibi, and Bomi, saw an increase in the USAID-supported feeding program from 241 schools to 289 schools during the year, benefiting more than 45,000 children in these five counties under the project.
At the celebration of the program, held under the theme “Together for the Children of Liberia – Celebrating Year One: Impact of USAID and Mary’s Meals School Feeding Program II,” the Country Director for Liberia, Madam Paula Nawrocki, expressed her gratitude. She said, “On behalf of the entire Mary’s Meals global movement, I’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to the American people for their continued generosity in supporting our promise to provide a daily nutritious meal for hungry children in their place of education.”
Mary’s Meals, as one of the most significant providers of school feeding, remains the sole provider of meals for school-going children in Bomi County. They have bridged the gap for parents who cannot afford lunch, ensuring their school-going children have a healthy diet during school hours.
Currently, the institution is catering to more than 150,000 school-going children, with plans to further extend these numbers in subsequent years. Madam Nawrocki emphasized that USAID has been supportive of their work in Liberia since 2018, funding millions of nutritious meals for children at school.
She further commended the United States Government and the American people for their generosity, kindheartedness, and standing in solidarity with local communities across Liberia to improve the lives of Liberian children. Madam Nawrocki stated, “We must remember that the ‘Together for the Children of Liberia’ partnership with USAID requires everyone’s input and efforts to fulfill our promise – that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.”
“This project continues not only to address the immediate needs of hungry children but also contributes to the long-term development of their communities and, more widely, addresses food insecurity in Liberia.”
Madam Nawrocki emphasized, “The food the children receive is sometimes the first meal of the day and it helps them satisfy their hunger, giving them the energy to concentrate, participate in lessons, and make the most of their time in school.”
“School feeding also attracts young children to start their educational journey and retain them in school, giving them a brighter and fuller future with opportunities to give back to their communities and country.”
She stated that the institution has close partnerships with individuals and organizations who share their values, vision, and hopes for the future. As part of these partnerships, they have collaborated with local farmers and producers to supply 49 percent of the produce for their school feeding programs.
“We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have forged such relationships with USAID, with the Liberian Government through the Ministry of Education, and, of course, with the wonderful communities and volunteers who manage the day-to-day running of the program,” she stated.
Addressing the occasion, USAID-Liberia Deputy Director for Education, Barton Pogue, lauded Mary’s Meals for the continuous process to ensure the children are benefiting from the school feeding program. According to him, over two million people in the country are food insecure, stressing that this is a huge problem for the populace. He, however, emphasized that leaving many Liberian children without their daily nutrition would hinder their ability to focus on learning.
Pogue pledged USAID’s commitment to collaborate with the government of Liberia to improve food security, disclosing that Liberia needs to primarily focus on agriculture with partnerships with the private sector. He said to achieve efficient agricultural productivity; the country must eradicate corruption to begin growing more local produce.