Bikita minerals, through its corporate social responsibility programs, has taken a commendable step by initiating a robust school feeding program.
Approximately 8000 pupils from eight primary schools in Bikita and one primary school in Gutu are currently benefitting from the program.
The school feeding program has been running for the past 5 years and every school term the mine provides maheu to primary school children.
For some children, attending school is not just an opportunity to learn, but also their only chance to have a meal and probably the only meal of the day.
It is for this reason that beneficiaries of school feeding programs in Bikita have praised the program.
Eleven-year-old Margaret Mutiga, a student at Beardmore Primary, is one of the many children benefiting from school feeding program.
Margaret explained that just like other children at her school she was happy to be in school again as that accord gives her the opportunity to have a meal as well as get an education.
And Margaret’s mother Judith Mutiga explained that many parents in the district were happy with the Lithium mine’s school feeding program as it helped to supplement struggling households’ dietary needs.
“By providing nutritious meals, the program encourages children to attend school regularly. The maheu is also good for the children’s nutritional needs”, she said.
Beardmore Primary school headmaster, Mr Muzamani said school feeding programs facilitate children’s healthy growth and development as well as help improve concentration and educational performance in school even as children’s energy levels are improved.
“Proper nutrition contributes to better cognitive development and learning outcomes. By investing in children’s education and well-being, the program aims to create a brighter future for the nation”, Muzamani explained.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, 66 million primary school-age children go hungry every day, with 23 million hungry children in Africa alone.
