A child who stays in school gets an education that sets them up to be a productive adult. Too often in low-income countries, however, children are unable to go to school because they are forced to go to work at a young age to support their families. The USDA McGovern-Dole program aims to reduce hunger and improve literacy through school feeding programs that serve as an important incentive to families to keep their children in school longer, improving access to education and ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.
On March 1, 2024, in celebration of African School Feeding Day, US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small and US Ambassador to Mozambique Peter H. Vrooman visited Mungazine Primary School in Matutuíne District, one of the 252 primary schools in Mozambique supported by the USDA Our Bright Future program, implemented by Counterpart. The Deputy Secretary and the Ambassador met local school feeding champions and government representatives and spoke with students and members of the community about how the school feeding initiative has improved their lives.
Students, community members, and Counterpart staff came together for this important event highlighting the impact of school feeding programs in Mozambique.
“At USDA, we know that children do better in life and in the classroom when they have consistent access to healthy, nutritious meals,” said Deputy Secretary Small. “That’s why we are proud to partner with the Mozambique government and Counterpart International to increase access to school meals in Mozambique.” During the event, the Deputy Secretary enjoyed a dance performance by the local students, met with local partners and civil society organizations working to support school feeding, sat in on a few classes, toured the school garden, and finally got to taste and serve school lunch to the children while getting to know the school staff.
Gwen Appel, Counterpart’s vice president of programs, addresses crowd at the event, standing beside the Deputy Security, Ambassador, and local government champions of school feeding.
“Students who are hungry cannot effectively learn. Since 2007, the United States has supported a school feeding program in partnership with Counterpart International in Maputo Province…which helps to fuel and educate the next generation,” explained Ambassador Vrooman, a vocal champion for school feeding programs in Mozambique and a frequent visitor to schools supported by the Our Bright Future team.
The program has had much success.
- 72,000 students reached across Maputo Province by serving more than 14 million daily school meals.
- 105 school gardens and 7 community farms established or revitalized
- 880+ teachers trained in bilingual education
- 104,000 books produced and distributed to help students improve their reading skills in support of the government of Mozambique’s efforts to expand bilingual education
Primary school student in Matutuine, Mozambique practices his writing and reading skills.
In Mozambique, 19% of all school dropouts are associated with chronic malnutrition. Children with chronic malnutrition are five years behind on their education, and child mortality associated with malnutrition reduces 10% of the country’s workforce. Access to nutritious meals during the school day not only addresses immediate hunger, but also has far-reaching effects on children’s physical and cognitive well-being, educational achievement, and long-term potential.
Programs such as this are providing the next generation of students in Mozambique with the opportunity to receive an education and strive for a better tomorrow.
