AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - School lunch program to fight malnutrition and school dropout

Moamba (Agenzia Fides) - Primary education and access to basic health services for school age children are the target of the non-profit Cooperative Development Center (CCS), which has been involved in promoting a better future for children in Mozambique. Recently, it has launched a school meal program to fight malnutrition and school dropout. The program is currently being carried out in a school in Machumbutane, a community of about 850 families who live on agriculture and livestock which is located far from the main road routes, about 25 km away from the small town of Moamba. As of May, with the aim of improving the diet of students and contribute to the economic growth of the territory, fish and polenta have been included in the school canteen menus in place of milk and cookies. Meal services were launched in 2010 to provide one meal a day for all the students and teachers of the school. If the initiative is successful, it will be extended to other schools across the Country. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 01/07/2015)