The Government of Zimbabwe commemorated the 9th edition of the Africa Day of School Feeding this year with a localized theme “Strengthening the role of devolution structures for sustainable investment in homegrown school feeding to transform education systems for inclusive quality learning, nutrition and livelihood outcomes and a prosperous Zimbabwe”.
Bubi District in Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe commemorated this day at Lukala Primary School on the 15th of March.
ORAP was invited to be Guest of Honor at the event because of the role and impact the organization is making in both Bubi and Umguza Districts through its Schools Feeding program being implemented in partnership with Mary’s Meals International and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
On that day, the focus was on celebrating locally sourced delicacies readily available within their community. These included small grains commonly cultivated by households, as well as some indigenous fruits and vegetables.
Despite misconceptions that often associate such indigenous and traditional foods with poverty, these nutritious foods are actually beneficial to overall human health.
The ORAP Schools Feeding Program Team Leader Mr Thandazani Mkhwananzi emphasized the need for communities to be self-sufficient to ensure sustainable school feeding even without external assistance. .
“ We expect that even in the future when partners no longer provide schools with meals, schools which includes the community, should be able to feed themselves from excess harvest from their fields”, said Mr Mkhwananzi.
Bubi District’s Learner Welfare Officer Mrs Sinini Mirandu in her speech mentioned that it is expected that all schools ought to have livestock projects and farms that will enable them to feed school children throughout the year to ensure the transformation of the education system for inclusive and quality education.
Ward 1 Councillor Mr. Mbambo pointed out how the ORAP implemented Schools Feeding Program could be supplemented by another meal served hot in the afternoon through food provided by the communities if they work together.
He further highlighted that some classes knock off late afternoon and other school children have to walk long distances hence that afternoon meal will be helpful to them.
Lukala Primary and Secondary School children did not shy away from performing dances, dramas, songs and poems, all dedicated to appreciating indigenous foods such as indigenous fruits and vegetables and grains.
Lukala Primary School is one of the 104 Schools in the 2 districts benefiting from the ORAP and MMI Schools Feeding Program where children receive a daily meal of fortified Corn Soya Blend (CSB) porridge.