Mzimba Food Distribution Report
The 3rd academic term in 2021 began in September for primary schools in Malawi. Once again Seibo were only allowed to provide a school meal in the form of take-home rations. While it is our hope to resume school feeding in the near future in this instance we were well prepared for this particular eventuality! Food distribution (take-home packs) took place at all Seibo partner primary schools from September 20th-24th. The focus was on Standard 1-7 classes as Standard 8 had by then finished their primary schooling. Distributing food at 12 x schools to thousands of students over a short period is challenging- luckily we had help!

Once again Seibo were assisted by members of the School Feeding Committee, community volunteers, the Malawi Red Cross, Mzimba DNCC (District Nutrition Coordinating Committee) as well as SHN (School Health & Nutrition) committee members. In addition, we hired local labourers to assist with offloading food sacks from the delivery truck. Of the 62,000 kgs of foodstuff delivered, 60,080 kgs was handed out to families of registered students with another 1,880 kgs donated to the children’s ward of Mzimba District Hospital & Bana Mbatose nursery (separate report to follow). 40kgs of foodstuffs were damaged in transit but overall we consider ourselves lucky that distribution was carried out in the hot/dry season.

Of the 12,116 registered learners at Seibo partner primary schools we managed to handout food parcels to 11,893 family representatives which considering the challenges in informing families of our times & dates is quite a positive outcome. What follows next are some snippets to help Seibo supporters understand how their funds are put to use. Once again we are humbled to be in a position to help the needy and thank you for your love for the children of Malawi.

Pemphero & Towera: Students at Davy Primary School, Pemphero & Towera are both 8 years old and come from Hezekiah Mwanza village. Their father has 2 x wives so they have the same father but different mothers. Their father is the breadwinner for both families and works as a tailor. Unfortunately business is hard and they often only eat once a day and almost all days they go without breakfast. They were both delighted to receive food packs that will give them energy to enjoy their lessons!

Gomezgani: A student at Davy Primary School, Gomezgani is 13 years old and in Standard 7 class. Gomezgani lives with her parents and is the first-born of 4 x siblings. Her father works as a guard and her mother sells vegetables.

Mr. Kamanga: Mr. Kamanga is the Director of Kazengo Primary School. Having witnessed the impact of school feeding on his students he reflected on the increased number of children attending school since school feeding began in 2016. He also commented that absenteeism and absconding from class has similarly reduced. Children from poor backgrounds, he added, have been given an opportunity to learn for which he and his team of staff are very grateful.

Chisomo: A student at Kazengo Primary school he said, “The Likuni phala is very good it gives me energy therefore I am mostly active in class. May Seibo continue with the programme!”

Webster: A student at Kazengo Primary school, Webster mentioned he planned to share the ‘phala’ with his younger sibling who attends nursery school. (Note: Seibo currently partner with nursery schools in Southern Malawi though given the resources would jump at the opportunity to provide feeding in Northern Malawi also!)

Nicholus: A member of Kazengo Primary School’s School Feeding Committee praised school feeding and acknowledged the role of a school meal in increasing student enrolment. Kazengo now has the highest number of learners in the Kaphuta zone which in part is attributed to the addition of a school meal.

Tikambe: A student at Kabuku Primary School was thankful as the health benefits of phala give her joy!

Matthews: A student at Kabuku Primary School he added the Likuni Phala makes for a good breakfast and allows him to get through school without tiring.

At Seibo we can only hope that the above stories serve to inspire our friends & supporters to continue to assist the children of Malawi and to truly show that even a little can help. What we do is not much in the bigger scheme of things but it does make a difference. If you can support Seibo please consider making a donation now and making a difference in our world- Donate HERE!