School lunches help children cope with food crisis

James, 13, is the school president. He advocates on behalf of his classmates for the expansion of the school lunch program due to the increased number of students.

The drought raging across the Horn of Africa is also affecting the world's newest nation – South Sudan.

The impact of food shortages are being magnified by the tens of thousands of people who have been returning from the north and nearby countries after years of war and conflict forced them away.

In Magwi County in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria State, Plan is supporting a community of people who have returned from refugee camps in northern Uganda to rebuild their lives in their homeland.

The community has been hit by crop failures caused by delayed rains and the rising cost of food imported from Uganda.

Plan is working with the World Food Programme to provide school lunches that will help to ensure children are receiving enough food and maintaining their education.

The program will continue to operate during the upcoming school vacation, allowing children to receive food even when classes are not running.

In September, Plan will also support some communities and schools in Eastern Equatoria to provide for themselves with seeds and tools to enhance the crop varieties that they are planting.

Keep reading to learn more about how the lunches are helping children.

Lunches help children stay at school

One local school has been receiving food (sorghum, beans and cooking oil) and members of the community volunteer to cook lunch for the students.

"We have 1200 students currently," says headmaster Michael Okia. "This increase in students is because often they have no food at home. We have enrolled 114 new students due to the lunch program this term. Even some children who are not school age will show up so that they can get food. They are coming just because of the food."

Before the lunch program started, the children were finding it difficult to concentrate and their performance was suffering. Now that they are receiving regular food, the situation has improved.

"They were only thinking whether they could get food and were very absent minded in the classroom as their stomach was complaining," explains Michael. "I am worried about the children because education is their future. If they do not pursue education this means life will be difficult for them in the future. That is my worry."

Jennifer, 15, has been attending the school for four years. She is the second-oldest in a family of four children. As there is little food in her house she relies on the daily school lunch and a small nightly meal at home.

"I am not feeling happy when I go without food, because nobody can go without food as your stomach will become sore,” she says. “But at school they give us something (to eat) so I will always come. I want to get knowledge. Children should love education. It is the key."

Jennifer says her ability to pay attention in class has improved because of the school lunch.

"To learn properly the stomach must be full so that the mind will be free. But if the stomach is complaining the mind will not be free," she says.

Despite the fact that life might be hard for Jennifer and her family she is happy to no longer be living in a refugee camp.

"When I was in the camp, I heard my parents saying it is better for us to go back home. But I was not aware that there was a home somewhere. But now I am at home I am happy."

You can help Plan to ensure children such as Jennifer receive adequate food and continue their education. Donate to the East Africa Drought Appeal – Children in Crisis.