World Vision Zambia (WVZ) has embarked on a supplementary School Feeding Programme in Chongwe District, aimed at addressing child hunger, malnutrition and improving learners’ nutritional status.
World Vision Zambia National Advocacy Campaign Coordinator, James Zimba, says the organisation is implementing the programme in 72 districts and schools as part of the efforts to end child hunger and malnutrition.
Speaking during a monitoring tour of the School Feeding Programme at Mulenje Primary School in Chongwe District, Mr Zimba noted that Zambia has continued to grapple with malnutrition and stunted growth, with the national stunting rate standing at 32 percent.
He said partnering with the Government in implementing the School Feeding Programmes would help improve nutrition among children, particularly those in rural schools, where many learners came from vulnerable households.
“Partnering with the Government on this programme will help improve nutrition among children, particularly those in rural schools, as most of them come from vulnerable households,” he said.
Mulenje Primary School Headteacher, Matildah Sinjatwa, said the combined efforts of the Government and World Vision Zambia, through their respective School Feeding Programmes, had improved school attendance and learners’ academic performance.
Ms Sinjatwa said the school was able to provide meals to learners at least three times a week, helping to ensure that children had access to food while at school.
“We are able to feed children Nshima served with cowpeas and vegetables that we grow ourselves, as well as porridge provided by World Vision Zambia,” she said.
And Chongwe District Nutritionist, Rabecca Banda, said the School Feeding Programme had contributed to improving the nutritional status of children by ensuring that they had access to meals both at home and at school.
Ms Banda said access to regular meals was important in supporting children’s growth, health and participation in learning activities.
A parent, Rabecca Mwachiyaka, thanked the Government and World Vision Zambia for supporting the programme, saying it had eased the burden on her household.
“This initiative has really helped my household because the children usually come home having eaten at school, allowing me to save some food,” she said.
The School Feeding Programme is being implemented under the theme, “Ending Child Hunger and Malnutrition programme”.
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