Nourishing Futures: How School Meals Empower Gambian Students"

NOURISHING MINDS, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

In rural Gambian schools like Kerr Chebu Primary, the daily lunch provided by WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme is more than just a meal - it’s a lifeline. For many students, it’s their only balanced meal of the day, providing the nourishment they need to concentrate, learn, and thrive.

In 2023, WFP’s HGSF programme reached at least 40 per cent of primary school children across all regions of the country. The initiative feeds students and supports local agriculture by sourcing fresh produce from smallholder farmers. This year, 914 farmers participated, gaining a reliable market and a steady income to reinvest in their farms and families. WFP also trained School Management Committees on procurement, food safety, and nutrition to ensure the programme’s quality and sustainability.

The impacts have been transformative. WFP reached 367,849 people, including 306,093 children, who received daily nutritious meals. Participating schools saw marked improvements in enrollment, attendance, retention, and completion rates.

“Before, I would often miss school to help my mother sell vegetables, as this is how I and my twin siblings,” says 12-year-old Fatou Jawo. “But now, with the school feeding, I can focus on my studies without worrying about my next meal during school hours.”

The HGSF programme’s success showcases the power of linking hunger eradication and rural poverty. WFP is helping create a virtuous cycle of change.

“School feeding is about nourishing minds and empowering communities,” says WFP Country Director Miranda Sende. “Continued investment can transform children and food security across The Gambia.”

The smiles at Kerr Chebu Primary show that transformation is already underway, one nutritious meal at a time.