U.S. Ambassador to Lao PDR Rena Bitter on May 10 visited two schools in Sekong Province supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the U.S. government.

Over 150,000 girls and boys in nearly 1,500 pre-primary and primary schools receive a nutritious snack or lunch. “Combined with a package of assistance, this daily school meal helps improve children’s food security, productivity, education, health and nutrition. This in turn improves their chances of employment and greater earnings over their lifetimes,” said U.S. Ambassador Bitter.

With the launch of the new WFP Country Strategic Plan for 2017-2021, the school meals programme will shift to a nationally owned and community led programme linked to local agricultural production, along with increased engagement in policy dialogue and capacity building of the Government and communities.

“Thanks to the U.S. government’s McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program and the Local and Regional Procurement project, students will be provided with locally produced and purchased food, thus maximising the benefits for children, farmers and communities. The project links schools’ demand for fresh and local products and supply from smallholder farmers”, said Sarah Gordon-Gibson, Country Director and Representative of the WFP.

The school meals programme was established in 2002 and is currently being implemented in seven provinces. More than 150,000 boys and girls receive daily nutritious meals in 1,500 schools as part of an education package, which includes water, sanitation and hygiene, literacy activities, and vegetable gardens, among others. This allows WFP and its partners to deliver the kind of inclusive and quality education children need.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL

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