PHOTO: Paula Nawrocki
Mary’s Meals Liberia Country Director, Paula Nawrocki has said that support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not only helping to address the immediate needs of hungry children, but will also contribute to the long-term development of their communities as well as addressing food insecurity in Liberia.
Because USAID has extended support for this organization’s feeding programme, Madam Nawrocki said Mary’s Meals can reach more than 45,000 children in over 240 schools for two years in Liberia.
She was speaking recently at the School Feeding Program II Launch. She said this support “will make such a huge difference to children, families and communities across Liberia and we’re incredibly thankful to the United States Government and the American people for their generosity, kind-heartedness, and steadfast support.”
Marys Meals is a global movement that has been providing “a daily nutritious meal for hungry children in their place of education” with funding from USAID.
“The food the children receive is sometimes the first meal of the day and it helps them to satisfy their hunger/the ache of hunger and gives them the energy to concentrate, participate in lessons, and make the most of their time in school,” said Marys Meals Liberia Country Director.
FULL TEXT OF HER REMARKS BELOW:
Mary’s Meals Liberia Country Director, Paula Nawrocki’s Remarks at the School Feeding Program II Launch “Together For The Children Of Liberia”
H.E. Amb. Michael A. McCarthy
Honourable Deputy Minister, Alexander Duopue
Our supportive Parents Teachers Association
Students and volunteers
Our media friends
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning, everyone, it’s great to see everyone gathered here today on what is a truly joyful occasion for Mary’s Meals Liberia. First of all, on behalf of the entire Mary’s Meals global movement, I’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to the American people for their generosity in supporting our promise to provide a daily nutritious meal for hungry children in their place of education. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been supporting our work in Liberia for several years (since 2018), funding millions of nutritious meals for children at school. This year, USAID’s extended support for our feeding programme means we can reach more than 45,000 children in over 240 schools for two years. This will not only help to address the immediate needs of hungry children but will also contribute to the long-term development of their communities as well as, more widely, addressing food insecurity in Liberia.
This latest support will make such a huge difference to children, families and communities across Liberia and we’re incredibly thankful to the United States Government and the American people for their generosity, kind-heartedness, and steadfast support.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You will all be aware of a common proverb in Liberia which states, “an empty bag cannot stand alone”. Across 672 schools, 150,833 children in Liberia make the journey to school safe in the knowledge they will receive a nutritious meal cooked and served by thousands of community volunteers in the Mary’s Meals School Feeding Programme.. The food the children receive is sometimes the first meal of the day and it helps them to satisfy their hunger / the ache of hunger and gives them the energy to concentrate, participate in lessons, and make the most of their time in school. In enabling them to continue with their education, it also offers hope for a more prosperous future for the children which, in turn, allows Liberia to work more positively towards achieving its development goals.
At Mary’s Meals, we have an over-arching theme around our work which is “Food Changes the Story” and that is certainly the case here in Liberia.
The “Together for the Children of Liberia” partnership with USAID requires everyone’s input and efforts to fulfil our promise – that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education. We rely on close, collaborative partnerships with organisations who share our values, vision and hope for the future. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have forged such relationships with USAID, with the Liberian Government/Ministry of Education and, of course, with the wonderful communities we serve. We are all in this together and – for your unwavering support and constant co-operation – I thank you all.