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- Shiela, Basebele JHS
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- Dominic, Zendangagn JHS
“Most days I come to school without eating. In the afternoon my head hurts and I can’t concentrate. With food in school, I will learn better.” Dominic, Zendaagangn JHS
“Knowing I will eat in school gives me hope – I want to become a nurse. With food in school, I can learn better and reach my dream.” Shiela, Basebele JHS
A simple bowl of food is unlocking opportunity and potential for Dominic and Shiela – as we served up school lunch in two more schools! Our partnerships with Basebele and Zendaagangn Junior High Schools (JHS) kicked off today, bringing the number of schools we now work in Nandom District to four.
Operating from two kitchens built by local parents, four newly-recruited cooks served up tasty jollof rice to 179 pupils. But this is so much more than a school meal – it means students are more likely to attend school, stay healthy and be able to focus.
Agatha, a parent at Zendaagangn JHS, said: “As a mother, it pains me when my child goes to school hungry and comes home tired without learning much. This feeding program gives me peace of mind because I know my child will eat, stay in school and learn well. It will help many parents like me keep our children in school.”
“When children come to school hungry, teaching becomes very difficult,” said Francis, the school’s assistant headteacher. “This feeding program will help us complete the syllabus and improve academic performance.”
Today’s launch is also a new start for four local women, now employed as school cooks and able to support their families. Gifty, a cook in Zendaagagn JHS said: “The salary will support my household. I will not travel down south to work for money anymore, and feeding these children gives me joy because they will no longer learn on empty stomachs. I’m especially happy because the food will help my own child.”
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- Zendaagagn Cooks
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- Agatha and her Daughter
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- Basebele Cooks
This is the beginning of our work in Basebele Hub, where poverty incidence is over 40% and there is a significant problem of people migrating south for work. In February, we launch a new SNAP disability group, and later in the year our business scheme offering support to apprentices, entrepreneurs and farmers will open.
Life in Basebele will never be the same again!