Simple but effective: a hot meal protects against child marriage

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In the remote villages of Malawi, Mary’s Meals serves as a bright spot, especially for the girls in the community. The initiative, which is committed to the fight against hunger, has positive effects that go far beyond a full stomach.

By offering meals in schools, Mary’s Meals has not only improved access to education, but also the quality of life for boys and girls in Malawi. Regular food intake has a positive effect on health and strengthens the concentration of students.

Emancipation and empowerment of women
The increase in the number of girls who continue to go to school is particularly impressive. With one reliable meal a day, dropout rates decrease and students can make better use of their educational opportunities. This positive effect has long-term implications for the emancipation and empowerment of women in Malawi. “Children’s weddings are also avoided in this way,” explains state coordinator Angela Chipeta-Khonje in an interview with “Krone”.

With his Mary’s Meals nutrition initiative, Scotsman Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow feeds 2.5 million schoolchildren every day in 18 of the world’s poorest countries. “Food and education are now seen as the key to escaping the cycle of poverty and hunger,” the philanthropist explains. The menu mainly features grain dishes such as porridge. Produced on site – as far as possible. The goal is that the countries will be able to survive without donations in the future and feed themselves independently.

The initiative has also been known in Austria for 15 years. “When I heard from Magnus how easy it was to fight hunger, I was immediately convinced to start working for the children,” says Christian Stelzer, head of Mary’s Meals Austria. Since then there have been numerous fundraising campaigns: charity concerts, students raising money for the school kitchens during the children’s run and other information events.

No food at home
According to a recent UN study, 122 million more people worldwide are currently suffering from hunger than four years ago. Wars, inflation and climate change are considered the main causes of this development. People in sub-Saharan Africa are most affected by hunger, with children and young people among the particularly vulnerable populations. Their future is robbed by lack of education due to hunger.

“The only food we get every day is from Mary’s Meals.” This statement comes from twelve-year-old Aping from South Sudan. She continues: “That’s why we go to school, because we don’t have anything to eat at home.” The smile on the girl’s face speaks volumes about the power of Mary’s Meals. Every meal opens doors to a better future where education is not just a dream, but an achievable reality.

Donation account:
IBAN AT02 3236 7000 0004 7779
BIC: RLNWATWW367

Source: Krone

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