Action Through Enterprise is proud to announce the launch of the ATE school feeding programme at Dowine Junior High School this week. Free school meals will now reach 206 hungry minds at Dowine Junior High each school day, where pupils’ poor diet affects their ability to develop and learn. With improved concentration and higher energy levels, students will be able to achieve in school and fulfil their potential. The Dowine school kitchen, built by the PTA and local community in readiness for the school feeding programme, was put into action on Tuesday, with newly appointed cooks, Felicia, Jacqueline and Antonia happily getting to work. On the menu for the first school meal was gari and beans; a favourite with school children across Ghana.
Dowine Junior High School is the third school to be partnering with Action Through Enterprise on school feeding. It is located in a remote rural village some 30 minutes ride from Lawra town in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The highly committed Headteacher has been busy putting provisions in place, ready to begin the daily feeding of Dowine Junior High’s eager students.
Habib Albeboure, ATE Ghana Project Manager describes the launch of the school feeding programme at Dowine JHS as “a very very good thing – it’s going to change the lives of children and improve attendance”.
The ATE school feeding programme which first started in Karbo Primary School in January 2013 has seen improvements in enrolment and attendance, as well as improvements in students’ growth and development, indicating a reduction in malnutrition. The school feeding programme encourages students to attend school by promising a daily healthy meal, supports productive learning by satiating hunger, and opens up opportunities for children to access their right to education for a brighter future. 
The launch was attended by ATE CEO, Sarah Gardner, alongside ATE Ghana Programme Manager, Habib Albeboure, newly appointed Project Assistant, Edith who will be supporting and monitoring the school feeding at Dowine JHS, Trustee, Charles Gardner, and volunteers, Sara Thompson, Gabriel N-yoh Maanibe and Dr Nick Maurice.
It is thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters that ATE has been able to set up and run the school feeding programme in three schools, in communities where hunger and poverty prevent children from gaining an education. With the launch of the feeding programme at Dowine Junior High School, the charity currently provides a nutritious meal every school day for more than 850 children in Lawra District. Thank you for your support!