In an era where educational attainment is increasingly linked to socio-economic development, school feeding programmes have emerged as a critical intervention aimed at enhancing both nutrition and learning outcomes for children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In partnership with Mary’s Meals International, a Scottish-based organisation, Mavambo Orphan Care feeds children in primary schools in three provinces, namely, Harare, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland Central.  MOC started feeding over 6,000 children and adolescents living with HIV within the Harare and Goromonzi communities during the first COVID-19-induced lockdown in 2020. This Programme provides a social safety net to children suffering from chronic hunger and poverty, and allows them to fulfil their potential by addressing their immediate hunger at school and removing some of the obstacles to their educational development. 

MOC serves a hot cup of Corn Soya Blend in schools, attracting impoverished children to the classroom where they gain an education that will one day be their ladder out of poverty.

OBJECTIVES

•  Enhancing Academic Performance

Research indicates that hunger can significantly impair cognitive function, leading to decreased concentration and lower academic achievement. Studies conducted indicate that children who receive regular meals at school demonstrate improved attendance rates and higher test scores compared to their peers who do not benefit from such programmes. By providing a nutritious meal, schools help ensure that students are physically prepared to engage in learning activities. Furthermore, when children are not preoccupied with hunger, they can focus better on their studies, thereby fostering an environment conducive to learning.

• Supporting Health and Well-Being

Beyond academic benefits, the MOC school feeding Programme plays a vital role in promoting the overall health and well-being of children. Malnutrition remains a pervasive issue in many developing countries, leading to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to diseases. By offering a balanced meal, the school feeding programme contributes directly to improving nutritional status among children. 

• Addressing Socio-Economic Disparities

Another critical objective of the school feeding programme is its role in addressing socio-economic disparities within communities. Access to quality education is often determined by socioeconomic status, thus, the MOC school feeding Programme helps level the playing field by attracting students from low-income families who might drop out due to hunger-related issues. By ensuring that all children receive at least one nutritious meal each day, the Programme reduces barriers to education and encourages higher enrolment rates in schools. 

PROGRAMME DELIVERY

  MOC has partnered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) and the local communities to ensure that children receive a hot meal at school every learning day. The community, comprised of local leaders, i.e., chiefs, headmen, and village heads, and parents, participates fully, through providing material and human resources. In districts such as Rushinga and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, parents provide labour, as they prepare meals every day and firewood for cooking. 

REACH BY DISTRICT- MARCH 2025

PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST

MOC is a child-centred organisation. The welfare of children has always been, and will always be, our primary consideration. As such, we recognise our responsibility to ensure the rights of the child are upheld in our school feeding programme. MOC provides a social safety net to children suffering from chronic hunger and poverty and allows them to fulfil their potential by addressing their immediate hunger at school and removing some of the obstacles to their educational development.

We take seriously our responsibility to promote and protect all children accessing our school feeding programme, and we believe that putting children first goes beyond vital safeguarding policies and child protection procedures. We focus on giving children the best start in life and consider their overall well-being in our delivery of the school feeding programme.