Food for Education
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A child cannot learn on an empty stomach
Need
In Tanzania, malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies continue to affect millions of children. Nearly one-third of children are deficient in essential nutrients such as iron and Vitamin A, impacting their physical development, concentration and learning ability. According to UNICEF, increasing rates of anaemia and poor nutrition among young people remain a significant concern across the country.
For families living in poverty, providing regular nutritious meals can be challenging. In many public schools, meals are not provided, creating an additional burden on households already facing financial hardship. Poor nutrition can lead to lower attendance, reduced classroom participation and weaker academic performance.
SJNEFFL believes that access to education and proper nutrition must go hand in hand. Since 2020, we have partnered with Tanzania Food for Education Development (TAFFED) to provide daily nutritious porridge to students attending Mizimbini Primary School in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam.
Intervention
The Food for Education programme provides a daily serving of nutritious porridge to all students at Mizimbini Primary School, which currently serves approximately 1,550 children.
The programme is designed to be community-led and sustainable. TAFFED is responsible for procuring food supplies, overseeing implementation, monitoring impact and ensuring compliance. The School Committee manages storage facilities, hygiene standards, inventory records and coordination with both parents and government stakeholders.
Parents play a central role in the programme by volunteering their time to prepare the porridge. Eight parents participate each day, helping prepare and serve meals while maintaining hygiene standards. Parents also contribute cooking fuel and provide utensils for their children, creating a strong sense of ownership and ensuring the programme remains cost-effective and sustainable.
Through this collaborative approach, every child receives a nutritious breakfast each school day, helping them start their lessons ready to learn.
Impact
Since the programme began, improvements have been observed in both educational and wellbeing indicators across the school.
Academic Performance
The school's average Grade Point Average (GPA) increased from 152.67 in 2020 to 188.44 in 2022, with academic performance remaining significantly above pre-programme levels in subsequent years.
There has also been an improvement in higher-achieving students, particularly among girls. The number of female students achieving an A grade increased from one student in 2020 to nine students in 2022.
Health and Attendance
Teachers have reported a significant reduction in complaints of headaches and stomach aches among students. Prior to the programme, the school recorded approximately 7-10 cases per week. Today, this has reduced to an average of one case per week.
Student attendance has also improved, with daily absenteeism reducing from approximately 10 students per day in 2021 to five students per day in subsequent years.
Participation and Wellbeing
The programme has also contributed to increased participation in school activities. The number of students qualifying for inter-school and district-level sports competitions increased from 13 students in 2021 to 18 students in 2023.
Teachers and parents have observed that children are more active, engaged and energetic throughout the school day, both in the classroom and during sports and recreational activities.
Building on the success of this programme, SJNEFFL continues to support initiatives that improve nutrition, school attendance and educational outcomes for children from underserved communities.
