Children in grade zero up to grade three were given 5kg of Fruit-Ridge porridge each by the Catholic Development Commission, CADEC, to last them through the school holidays.
“Since the children enjoyed the porridge at school every morning and were in good health, we saw it necessary to provide them with food for the holidays so that their health would not be compromised,” said a school teacher at St. Ludger Primary School.
CADEC moved in with food rations because of famine experienced in some rural communities. Pupils were struggling to cope with school work and some, particularly children at lower primary school level, were missing school due to hunger.
Poor parents have described the scheme as manna from heaven. Mbuya Nawume Muzunze of Masomera Growth Point said before the feeding schemeher grandchildren had stopped attending school. She hoped the project would continue long enough to see them through primary school.
Parents and children hailed the decision to give children the food rations this holiday, saying this would improve performance as the children would be able to do their holiday studies without worrying about hunger. A Grade Three pupil, Chipo Tsodzo of Mupazvirivo Village said her ambitions of passing school examinations and becoming a medical doctor would be realised.
Education Minister David Coltart commended the programme, saying CADEC must be supported to continue it because it increased school attendance and performance.
Post published in: News