Baloyi launches school feeding drive as households struggle to feed children

A Malawian MP has launched an ambitious school feeding initiative aimed at boosting attendance in her constituency, amid growing concern that hungry children arriving at school without breakfast are being left behind academically.

Madalitso Baloyi, Member of Parliament for Mzimba Kafukule Constituency and Minister of Health and Sanitation, unveiled the scheme in partnership with non-profit organisation Feed the Children, targeting 46 community-based centres across the area of Senior Chief Mtwalo.

The organisation has already begun distributing supplies on the ground, having so far handed out 4,384 two-kilogramme packets of a nutrient-rich flour blend made from soyabean and roasted maize, designed to give children a proper meal before heading into the classroom.

Speaking at the launch, Baloyi praised Feed the Children for stepping in with what she described as a timely intervention, warning that many households in the constituency have been struggling to feed their children before school — a problem she said has been directly contributing to poor academic performance among pupils.

The minister’s remarks shine a light on the wider struggle facing families across rural Malawi, where rising food insecurity has left many parents unable to guarantee even a basic breakfast for their children before the school day begins, with knock-on effects on concentration, attendance and results in the classroom.

Feed the Children’s monitoring, evaluation and learning manager, Rominie Kaseghe, pledged that the organisation would continue supporting the area going forward, committing to ongoing supplies of the highly nutritious porridge flour to help sustain the initiative and keep children fed and in school.