Lifelong School Feeding

Food insecurity remains a critical challenge in Ethiopia, profoundly impacting children. Millions of primary school-aged children reside in food-insecure areas, facing difficulties accessing basic necessities due to conflicts, rising prices, and stagnant wages. School hunger significantly hinders children's education. It leads to decreased school attendance, high dropout rates, and poor academic performance. Conversely, school feeding programs have proven to increase attendance, improve concentration, enhance academic results, and improve children's nutritional status. Furthermore, they act as a crucial safety net for vulnerable families during crises. While NGOs have traditionally supported school feeding programs, their coverage has been limited. Recognizing this critical need, the Ethiopian government initiated nationwide school feeding programs. However, the cost of these non-emergency programs is not adequately budgeted at the federal, regional, or city levels, leaving the burden of funding on local communities. Our extensive research, including interactions with education officials, school visits, and discussions with teachers and directors, has underscored the urgent need for effective school feeding programs across the country. LifeLong is committed to addressing this challenge. Our next fundraising campaign will focus on: • Raising awareness: Highlighting the critical importance of school feeding programs in improving children's education and well-being. • Mobilizing resources: Generating funds to support the implementation of effective school feeding programs in various regions of Ethiopia. Stay tuned for further updates on our campaign.