Schoolfeeding in our Laeley Seken rural elementary school a great success

Our member Wolfgang Hoinko reports from Mekelle on his impressions during his visit to the Laeley Seken Primary School in rural Tigray

In May this year, with the support of Dr. Reiye, the senior surgeon at Ayder Hospital, we set up a daily school meal for needy children at Laeley Seken School (see our report from May 2024 - in German language).

Wolfgang Hoinko, who travelled to Mekelle, visited the school for an inspection with Dr. Reiye and sent a report with photos from there.

This school is located in a remote rural area in the region of the provincial town of Abiy Addi, northwest of the provincial capital Mekelle.

The children receive a warm meal once a day. The food is stored at the school and was purchased with donations from Etiopia-Witten e. V. It consists mainly of rice and spicy legume porridge, prepared according to a traditional recipe. The village community from which the children come is responsible for cooking. In addition, on certain days, the children receive large cereal bars for children instead, which are specially fortified with proteins and vitamins. This helps to counteract malnutrition.

The school's dedicated teachers carefully supervise this program and report that it has been well received by the students, which is reflected in the sharp increase in attendance. The number of students present has increased from 75% to 95%. The proportion of children who arrive late has dropped from 12% to 1.2%.

We are very happy with this result! Since the economic and political problems in Tigray are far from being settled, it may be that, contrary to expectations, we will have to continue to finance school meals even after the coming harvest season.