Help feed a starving child this Christmas – support Daily Express appeal launched today

Poverty-stricken schoolchildren’s lives are being totally transformed by a UK charity – one cup of warm porridge at a time.

Mary’s Meals is a beacon of hope that nourishes the futures of pupils across the world’s poorest nations.

The organisation has sowed the seeds of possibility across 18 countries, transforming classrooms into havens of sustenance, education and dreams.

Brothers Edgar Kunda, 13, and Benjamin, 10, are among the children at Katapila Primary School, in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, who have swapped a craving for food with a hunger for learning thanks to Mary’s Meals.

They are among more than 2.4 million kids who have been helped to get a start in life.

It is an amazing cause that we are now asking you, our amazing, generous readers to back our Christmas Appeal.

And there are plenty of reasons to back the charity’s extraordinary wholesome food effort.

Dedicated volunteers serve the pupils a free helping of porridge at school every day – boosting attendance and reducing drop-out rates.

The boys’ parents Emmanuel Kunda, 42, and Victoria Mbewe, 37, shared their relief that their sons are assured at least one hearty meal of maize and soya porridge a day, which has been fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Former volunteer teacher Emmanuel and his farmer wife, who both have HIV, told of the family’s challenges while sitting in the shade provided by a mango tree outside their home, sweltering under Africa’s sun.

Father of five Emmanuel said: “I developed a sickness and started feeling unwell. I even stopped walking. I can’t move, especially long distances. This means I stay in the yard. It’s been this way for two years. I just sit.

“My sickness has had a huge impact on my family. I can’t move, I can’t do anything. If the children’s father is sick, then who is fighting for them? Hunger is also striking us. A lot of things have happened to my family.”

Their youngest son Evans, three, was born unable to walk or talk.

Emmanuel shared how his wife, who takes anti-retroviral drugs, struggles because “there is nothing I can do”.

The former Katapila Primary school teacher added: “I just stare at her moving up and down looking for food. Instead of me doing it, she’s out doing it.”

Evans gurgles from his mother’s lap while she shares the struggles of feeding her family.

Doctors told the parents his condition would have improved drastically with physiotherapy but the family is unable to take him because of Victoria’s other responsibilities.

Victoria, speaking via the school’s headteacher Ireen Mulunda, said: “I feel so neglected and bad about my life. I have to work extra hard to make sure that my oldest son in grade 11 remains in rented accommodation.

“But that means money that could be used here, is used there. I play a very big role in the family.

“I find myself selling local beer, called Kachasu, which I brew illegally to make money. I can’t find any alternative to raising funds.”

Emmanuel said: “My wife needs to look for small piece works for the survival of the children. This is very hard in our village.”

The couple’s daughter, 21, got married several years ago before completing her education in a bid to reduce the number of mouths her family has to feed.

Her parents described how they battled to pay for her education, which became free in the country in 2021.

In schools where Mary’s Meals are served, research shows that hunger is reduced, enrolment increases, attendance improves, drop-out rates fall and absences dwindle.

Parents are less anxious and children are also happier.

Edgar, who hopes to be a tour guide, said: “I feel I have more intelligence in class because I’m being fed food.”

Benjamin, who wants to be a soldier, said: “I concentrate better in class now.”

Emmanuel, who completed his education, said he has never considered taking his children out of school to get jobs and help provide food for the family.

He said: “I can’t tell them to stop school because that is their future. How will they survive if they leave school?

“I know they will have a bright future. They are intelligent. Before Mary’s Meals, they used to not go to school every day but now, because there’s food, they go there daily. Their academic and social capacity has improved.”

Victoria, who dropped out in grade four and cannot read or write, said: “I don’t have pressure to think about what to feed them if they get porridge at school. It’s a relief.”

Emmanuel added: “If there’s little food at home, the children don’t complain much because they’ve already eaten at school.”

The family is also feeling the effects of climate change which has led to an inconsistent rainy season, floods and higher temperatures in the region.

Victoria said: “We experienced floods meaning all our food crops were washed away. We never had a harvest once which means we didn’t have food. That brought a great negative impact on our family.”

The life-changing Mary’s Meals are made possible by many little acts of kindness from supporters and volunteers around the globe.

Each cup is prepared and served by volunteers who live near schools supported by Mary’s Meals.

Katapila Primary principal Ms Mulunda said: “Mary’s Meals has brought joy to the school, as well as the community. Locals have embraced the initiative. In 2016, when the project started at the school, it had a pass rate of 81 per cent. Since the initiative, our pass rate has changed to 100 per cent.

“This has had a great impact on the students and the teachers who notice our learners have the right food at the right time. The challenges of teaching schoolchildren on an empty stomach has been lessened. Our learners are now eager to learn.”

As little as 10p can provide one nutritious meal for a hungry child.

Donations made to Mary’s Meals from now until 22 January 2024, including those from the Express Christmas appeal, will be doubled by a group of generous supporters – up to £1 million.

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals every day for a school year. And this winter, a donation of £19.15 will feed two children.

To donate and find out more, visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/express