Home grown school meals program to enhance education, combat food insecurity

By Chisomo Sezi

The Area Development Committee (ADC) in Euthini, Mzimba, has commended the home grown school meals program saying it has potential to improve education and combat food insecurity among learners in the area.

Participants during the meeting PIC Chisomo Sezi

The program through Community Activation, Natural Resources, and Social Infrastructure (CANARASI) project is geared to to tackle food insecurity while enhancing education for the children.

Shine on Malawi, in collaboration with Ulalo, officially introduced the program to ADC members on Monday in Traditional Authority (TA) Chindi, Mzimba North.

The program's goals were outlined, emphasizing its potential to address the root causes of poor school performance in the region, such as hunger.

Project Manager for Ulalo, Moses Mkandawire, highlighted the importance of the session, noting that it was crucial for the community to understand the project’s significance and how it aligns with Ulalo’s vision to enhance education and improve the environment for the betterment of children in the district.

He added that lack of food, which often hinders children's ability to learn, the program seeks to provide a sustainable solution to a persistent challenge in the area.

Director of Shine on Malawi, Stalin Mughandira expressed deep concern about the academic performance of children in the area, which is negatively impacted by food insecurity.

“We want the community to understand that this project is not just for the organization or the government; it’s for the children of Euthini to succeed in school,” Mughandira said.

He further noted that many children come to school on an empty stomach, which severely affects their concentration and ability to perform well academically.

Chairperson of the Euthini Area Development Committee, Pascar Chiwaka, encouraged local leaders and community members to embrace the Home-Grown School Meals Program, calling for a change in mindset.

He urged everyone to see the initiative as an opportunity for collective growth, not just for individual schools, but for the entire community.

“If this project fails, it will be a failure for the whole Chindi area,” he stated.

This project targeting 20 primary schools in the areas surrounding the Vwaza Marsh National Park, the project focuses on improving education, establishing a sustainable school feeding program, and fostering environmental awareness.

The initiative is supported by Chance Durch Bildung and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, with plans for phased implementation until September 2026.