Give nutritious school lunches for an entire academic year to 250 students living in poverty who attend our school in rural Liberia. Help families break the cycle of illiteracy, poor education, and no hope by motivating attendance, fostering attentiveness, and improving health through our school lunch program.
According to the World Bank, over one-third of Liberian children are not enrolled in school. Approximately 30% are stunted from poor nutrition so are at risk of cognitive and physical limitations that could impact them for a lifetime. Many families are forced to choose between education, food & healthcare. Education is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty. This project will impact the education and well-being of 250 children who live in or near the village of Deanville in rural Liberia.
Gbarnga Mission currently serves over 1,200 nutritious meals a week to students in rural Liberia. Student enrollment is steadily increasing with a 35% growth in the past year. Students not only receive free school lunch but they are trained in nutrition and healthy lifestyles. This project seeks to decrease malnutrition, increase school attendance, and lessen the economic burden on parents.
This project will feed 250 school children. School lunches provide nutrition and improve health while motivating families to send their children to school for free meals. Students who are not hungry are better able to concentrate, perform better in school, and are less likely to be absent. The agriculture program on our campus supports the school lunch program with nutritious crops from its harvest and employs family members in the community.
