MARY’S MEALS is a simple idea that works – by providing a daily meal in a place of education, chronically poor children are attracted to the classroom where they can gain a basic education that provides an escape route from poverty.
Mary’s Meals began in Malawi in 2002 feeding just 200 children. Twelve years later, relying on kindnesses from across the world, they are now reaching over 900,000 children and are incredibly close to reaching a major milestone: ONE MILLION CHILDREN receiving a meal every school day.
Across 12 countries – including in conflict-gripped South Sudan and Ebola-hit Liberia – Mary’s Meals is bringing hope to poverty-stricken children in a number of challenging contexts.
Each of the children enrolled in our programme is receiving a nutritious daily meal and sitting in a classroom gaining an education, which is their best hope of escaping poverty in later life. And, as a no-frills charity, it costs Mary’s Meals a global average of just £12.20 to feed each of these children for a whole year.
Buxton Soroptimists have been supporting this very worthwhile cause, linking up with other organisations, giving talks to interested parties and holding several fundraising events over the past few years.
The BACKPACK PROJECT is a simple way of helping these children get to school. Very often the parents of the children supported by Mary’s Meals cannot afford to buy basic things like pens and notebooks or even suitable clothes for their children to wear to school. Their children then miss out on school and the education that can help them escape from poverty when they grow up.
MARY’S MEALS + BACKPACK PROJECT = A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Buxton Soroptimists have been filling old schoolbags and backpacks with some everyday things and have passed all the bags on to Mary’s Meals who have then sent the backpacks to children who really need them.
We have now decided to continue to support Mary’s Meals as individuals rather than as a Club project and, if you would like to do so, you are very welcome to get in touch with us for more details.
Contact details for BUXTON SOROPTIMISTS:
01298 77568
buxtonsoroptimists@yahoo.co.uk
New Year and more backpacks off to Mary’s Meals
Club member, Chris, reported that before Christmas the Government were matching any money raised for charity. SI Buxton sent off a cheque for £242.71 to Mary’s Meals, so the Government will double this to £485.42! Chris has received a letter of thanks from Mary’s Meals and we are reminded that the crisis in Malawi continues. The charity is now feeding one million children daily and their new target is to feed two million.
2016 got off to a good start with an evening of sorting and packing around 20 backpacks!
