NGO launches nursery school feeding programme
Seibo Feeding the Future, a Japanese nongovernmental organisation, in partnership with Beehive centre operating in Chilomoni Township in Blantyre has launched a school feeding programme which will see children from private preschools receive Likuni phala.
Speaking during the launch in Blantyre, board member for Seibo Feeding the Future Justice Dunstan Mwaungulu said the programme begins with over 30 private preschools in Chilomoni but was quick to point out that it will soon expand to all parts of the country.
Justice Mwaungulu said through the programme, the organisation has made an agreement with school owners that ten percent of enrolled children will be from poor households and will be learning free of charge.
“This is to allow more children attend preschools in the country. As we all know for the nation to achieve a strategic goal of eliminating hunger and chronic malnutrition we need to invest in early childhood development,” he said.
According to Justice Mwaungulu, by nourishing the next generation, the nation can empower children to develop to their full potential, solve hunger and boost economic growth.
Managing Director for Beehive centre Peter Nkata said through the program, they will also support nursery schools with teaching and learning materials and provide essentials such as school uniforms to less privileged children benefiting from the programme.
“We have also put up a small team to monitor and evaluate the programme so that we are able to assess its progress,” he said.
Malawi has over 4 million children in need of Early Childhood Development services but only 1.4 million, representing 40 percent, have access to the program.
According to a 2015 United Nations report, more than 100 million children worldwide do not go to school due to poverty.
