Charity Helps Feed Malawi Children

The work of a Scottish charity to ensure Malawian school pupils can enjoy a nutritious meal at school has been highlighted by Scotland’s Education Secretary in Neno.

Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell has visited the town’s Chifunga 1 primary school and the nearby St Daniel Comboni Under-Six Centre to see the work of Mary’s Meals.

The Scottish Government’s International Development Fund is providing £400,000 funding to Mary’s Meals to support their School Meals Programme from 2010–2013 and a further £400,000 to support their Under-Six Feeding Programme from 2012-2015.

Mr Russell also visited a centre in Blantyre where backpacks filled with educational materials are delivered from Scotland, before being distributed to schools.

Mr Russell said: "It has been wonderful to see what a difference support from the Scottish people is making here in Malawi. Having volunteered with Mary’s Meals in Glasgow before coming to Malawi, it is heartening to now see the work being done at the other end.

"As we have seen through the work of young blogger Martha Payne, who raised money to build a new kitchen shelter at Lirangwe Primary School, the role of individuals is also vital. I would encourage everyone to think about the role we can play to tackle hunger.

"From small scale beginnings, the work of Mary’s Meals is now benefitting thousands of school pupils in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean and is an organisation of which our country can be incredibly proud. I will certainly be sharing my experience of the work they’re doing on my return to Scotland."

(GK)