The potential for a better, brighter future
The impact of our daily school meals goes far beyond reducing a child’s immediate hunger – it can help to unlock potential, strengthen communities and inspire change.
Published onFor millions of children, hunger is a barrier to education, growth and opportunity.
At Mary’s Meals, we serve nutritious meals to more than 2.6 million children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a daily meal in their place of education encourages children into the classroom and gives them the opportunity to receive an education.
But the impact of our daily meals goes far beyond reducing a child’s immediate hunger –and can be summarised by the statement: Commitment + Community + Catalyst for Change = Hope:
- Commitment lies in the unwavering promise to the children we serve – a reliable school meal every day. This encourages attendance and helps children to focus, learn and thrive. The impact is clear – not only in improved academic performance but also in enhanced physical and mental wellbeing.
- Community is central to the school feeding programme. Teachers, parents and local volunteers all come together to cook and serve the meals. This grassroots approach fosters local ownership, cooperation and resilience, building bridges within and between communities.
- Catalyst for change best describes the long-term impact of this work. By alleviating hunger and encouraging access to education, children grow up the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty their families and communities live in – benefitting not only themselves but also future generations.
A commitment that delivers in Madagascar
Eight-year-old Aimee from Madagascar illustrates just how transformative our promise of providing daily school meals can be. Her journey to school is a physically demanding one – across rice fields, rivers and hills. Before Mary’s Meals, she made this journey on an empty stomach, her energy drained, her concentration in class minimal.
But since her school began participating in the Mary’s Meals programme, the change in Aimee has been remarkable. She listens attentively in class, engages with her teachers and walks to school with renewed energy and purpose. For Aimee, this simple meal has reshaped her present and redirected her future. Read more about Aimee’s story.
Nurturing community in Lebanon
The impact of Mary’s Meals extends beyond food – it nourishes communities and fosters unity. Nowhere is this more evident than in Lebanon, where volunteer cooks Rinda and Fatmeh work side by side.
Rinda, a Lebanese woman, and Fatmeh, a Syrian refugee, represent different backgrounds but share the same passion for helping children. Their collaboration not only feeds hungry children but also breaks down social and cultural barriers, creating spaces for mutual respect and shared humanity. Read more about Rinda and Fatmeh’s story.
A catalyst for change in Malawi
Gift, a young man from Malawi, exemplifies the lasting impact and catalyst for change of Mary’s Meals. Supported with daily meals during his school years and nurtured in a home for vulnerable in Blantyre, he met a Scottish family who believed in his potential. With their support, he moved to Scotland, earned a degree in Public Sociology and later completed an MSc in in International Management and Leadership.
Now back in Malawi, Gift leads a team bringing solar power to off-grid communities. His story is living proof of the chain reaction that starts with a single school meal – a journey from nourishment to education to empowerment. Read more about Gift’s story.
Hope of a brighter future
For children, families and communities across the 16 countries in which we work, Mary’s Meals represents hope of a brighter future – and the powerful reminder that something as simple as a daily hot meal can lead to lasting change.
It truly is more than just a meal – it’s the potential for a better, brighter future.
It costs just £19.15, €22, $25.20 USD or $31.70 CAD to provide a child with life-changing, daily school meals for an entire year. Your donation will help children experiencing poverty and hunger to change the trajectories of their lives – both right now, and for years to come us.
It’s more than just a meal – it’s the potential for a better, brighter future.