LCIF Karamoja School Feeding Project
Lions Club International Foundation and WFP Join Forces to Nourish Karamoja’s Schoolchildren
The Lions Club International Foundation has launched a partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve the lives of schoolchildren in Karamoja, northern Uganda.
With a $1 million (about Shs5bn) contribution from the Lions Club International, the initiative aims to provide daily hot meals to over 216,000 students across 320 primary and secondary schools in the region.
This funding is expected to significantly boost school attendance, reduce dropout rates, and combat malnutrition, particularly among young girls who are more vulnerable to food insecurity.
"This program is not just about feeding hungry children; it’s about empowering the next generation. Through this contribution, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for children in Karamoja,” said Mr Abdirahman Meygag, WFP country director.
“By ensuring they have access to nutritious meals, we are not only keeping them in school but also enhancing their ability to learn and thrive.”
The funds will be used to purchase essential staples such as maize, beans, and cooking oil, which will be transformed into nutritious hot meals served daily in schools.
Additionally, the program will establish school gardens focused on cultivating orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and leafy vegetables. These gardens will not only improve students’ diets but also teach them sustainable agricultural skills.
During the program launch, the delegation visited a local sweet potato garden and a food storage facility at Moroto Municipal Primary School.
In a symbolic gesture of hope for sustainability, trees were planted by Mr. Meygag and Dr. Stanley K. Bubikire, District Governor of Lions Club Uganda.
“This $1 million contribution is a lifeline for many schools struggling with hunger,” said Dr. Bubikire. “By feeding these children, we are not only easing their hunger but also giving them the opportunity to focus on their education and secure a better future.”
The Karamoja Home Grown School Meals Programme is paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for schoolchildren, one meal at a time.
Follow this link to learn more on this project: https://nilepost.co.ug/richardolwenyi/223257/lions-club-international-foundation-and-wfp-join-forces-to-nourish-karamoja-s-schoolchildren
