It's Hard to Learn When You're Hungry!

Pizz School has continued to offer practical support to its pupils, and some past pupils, through the pandemic. During the period of enforced school closure, a feeding programme tried to ensure that the absence of a school lunch did not impact too adversely on the children.

One such child – we will call her Caroline – had particular needs. Like her mother and brother, she is HIV positive and on medication. Mum works hard to make ends meet, but sadly can’t always provide food for her children and so, without the kindness of our supporters enabling the feeding programme, the outcome for this family appeared bleak. Fortunately, Caroline was able to obtain vital basic food from school, keeping her not only fed but also in touch with Pizz and more likely to return to her studies after the school reopened. Indeed, since the restart in late September, she is now back in the classroom.

Sadly resources are limited and HATW is not always able to supply sufficient food and support to prevent tragedy. Another pupil at Pizz – let’s call her Mary – a sixteen year old orphan who lives with and tries to care for her grandmother, was receiving some supplies of maize through the school, but was desperate to provide better for her grandmother and so turned to the only source of income she could find – prostitution. Mary now finds herself pregnant and in an even more desperate position. She has turned to Pizz for help.

Together with HATW, Pizz is now looking at ways to help girls avoid being in such desperate and vulnerable situations. We are seeking solutions for the long term, but meanwhile the need for food remains urgent. If Caroline, Mary and so many other girls are to remain well and continue with their education in order to seek a brighter future, they need food today.

Will you help? Please be assured that whatever you are able to give will make a real and lasting difference to young lives!

If ever proof was needed that Pizz School is more than just a centre for education, the recent dual crises of very poor harvest and school closures due to Covid-19 have provided that proof.

It’s not easy to keep in touch with pupils living over a scattered area, but the staff at Pizz School have been determined that the children should not suffer unduly because of the lack of school lunches. Sacks of ground maize have been distributed to the most needy families, keeping hunger at bay and avoiding additional stress for those who have taken orphaned children into their households.

As schools now carefully start to re-open, lunches are again being provided.

We are so grateful to those people who donate to the lunch box fund - if the generosity of our supporters continues, Hands Around The World can keep ensuring the children are fed, but without that support we can do nothing.

Thank you for your help!