The school feeding programme has received a major boost in Lilongwe after Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Mission Africa made a significant donation of porridge flour and cooking pots to benefit learners at Mlare Catholic Primary and Chibungu Primary Schools.
The donation, made in partnership with Shaping Our Future Foundation, is aimed at encouraging more children to stay in school by providing them with daily meals.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Msundwe, Executive Director of Shape the Future Foundation and Chief Advisor to the First Lady, Michael Mkandawire, said the initiative is already producing tangible results in improving learner attendance and enrollment.
“We have seen how school feeding programmes have positively impacted student enrollment. When children know they will eat at school, they are more likely to attend and stay in class,” Mkandawire said.
He further cautioned against the misuse of resources, urging all stakeholders to ensure that the donated items are used strictly for their intended purpose.
“These resources must be managed responsibly. They are meant to feed children, not to be diverted elsewhere,” he added.
Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Mission Africa Chairperson, Amu Shah, described the partnership as a meaningful step in transforming lives through education and nutrition.
“Our goal is to uplift communities across Africa. By ensuring learners have daily meals, we are not just feeding their stomachs, we are nourishing their futures,” Shah said.
The initiative also drew praise from the Ministry of Education, with the Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education, Rachel Chimbwete, welcoming the support as timely and impactful.
“This contribution will help us move closer to our goal of achieving 100% school coverage by 2030. Right now, we are at 43%, and such interventions bring hope,” said Chimbwete.
The donation marks a continued effort by both the government and partners to remove barriers to education, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
As Malawi strives to improve education access, feeding programmes are increasingly being recognised not just as a welfare intervention but as a critical investment in human capital development.
