SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM

Studies have shown that if we invest one dollar today in early childhood nutrition, we can potentially return at least three dollars worth of gain in academic achievement, and perhaps more. School meal program is designed to provide school meals free of charge to students, to improve their health and expand educational opportunities. Currently the program is for elementary schools, with the hope of expanding to secondary schools.  In the words of a retired elementary school teacher, “some parents would rub palm oil on the lips of their children and send them to school on empty stomach”.  These kids would come to school and yawn and yawn and fall asleep, until they can receive snacks from the teacher.  How do you expect the kids to learn?  Another story that has stuck with me is that of a secondary school student that committed suicide by hanging.  When one of his peers was asked why any child would take his own life.  His response was, I paraphrase, “The victim was always complaining that he was getting tired of going home after school, to not find food to eat”.  We may not be able to eradicate hunger completely, but not taking action is not an option.