Malawi

Serving reliable daily meals to school children across Malawi

Mary’s Meals is serving more than 1,315,000 children in Malawi

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 172 out of 193 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI).

The impact of recent natural disasters has been compounded by rising costs affecting the price of essential items. Widespread fuel shortages have also trickled down into food supply chains, transportation, and healthcare access, deepening economic inequality and intensifying the vulnerability of already marginalised communities.

Our first and largest school feeding programme, which started in 2003, is facilitated by Mary’s Meals Malawi and two partners, MCSPA Malawi (Missionary Community of St Paul the Apostle) and Tafika. Not only is our consistent and effective programme helping to reduce children’s hunger and improve their ability to concentrate in class, but it provides a vital lifeline for families who are struggling to access enough food.

Children waiting for Mary's Meals in Malawi

Feed a School

Some Mary’s Meals supporters choose to take part in our Feed a School initiative, committing to raise funds to provide nutritious daily meals for every child at a school in Malawi for a full academic year. Visit our Feed a School webpage to find out how you can get involved.

In this short video Angela Chipeta-Khonje Country Director, Mary’s Meals Malawi outlines the issues driving food shortages in Malawi and explains why committing to Feed a School can bring about lasting change. By supporting an entire school with daily nutritious meals, you give them a reason to attend the classroom – a place to learn, play, and build foundations for the future.

Find out more

News and Stories from Malawi

2026 - Malawi - Children eating porridge

Why more children around the world need a school meal

As increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and economic instability place additional
pressures on families already grappling with poverty and hunger in the countries where Mary’s
Meals works, Angela Chipeta-Khonje from Mary’s Meals Malawi reflects on how the introduction
of daily school meals at Thunga Primary School will provide much-needed support to the wider
community.

School feeding unlocks children’s academic potential

Mary’s Meals helps to improve children’s access to education, giving them the energy to
participate and concentrate in the classroom.

The impact of Mary’s Meals in 2025

Our school meals not only help to alleviate children’s immediate hunger – they also continue to
improve their education and health, provide a safety net for families experiencing vulnerability,
support community cohesion, and strengthen local food systems.

When heavy rains close schools, children lose more than lessons

The impact of prolonged rains in Malawi is being felt far beyond flooded roads and damaged homes. For some children, it also means losing access to school – and the daily meal that comes with it.

Support our work

Your donations enables us to provide life-changing school meals to children living in Malawi and beyond.

Donate Now

Explore our work in other countries

World map design made from grains of rice

Where we work

Mary's Meals works in countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of many thousands of volunteers around the world, we are successfully feeding more than 2.6 million children every school day.