Our children and their families are just some of the millions of people around the world who are at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, because they cannot afford healthy food.
There is enough food grown worldwide to meet the needs of everyone, the lack of access and availability in developing countries is the problem.
On World Food Day , we focus on leaving no one behind, making sure that everyone, especially the more vulnerable in our global community, can have access to healthy, nutritious food.
It is easy to take for granted having enough healthy food to ensure proper growth and development. But for millions of people, a lack of access to food, poverty, and severe inequality leaves children malnourished and with stunted growth, delaying or even permanently altering physical development.
Malnutrition in the children who come to our programmes every year is a real concern. Every child receives a full health check when they arrive at school to assess their needs. They are given the balanced nutrition and regular meals they need to thrive, helping to address their poor start in life, their malnutrition and give them the best chance for healthy development and growth.
Most of our schools have a small scale food programme, where food is grown on the grounds to supplement the children’s meals. The amount of food grown is not enough to feed all the children but it has a valuable purpose. Not only does it improve the sustainability of the programmes, but teaching children about food, how to grow it, it’s value, and exposing them to new and different types of healthy food options, gives them a well-rounded education in food and nutrition. It gives them food growing skills and knowledge that they can share with their communities.
Some of our children have gone onto pursue agriculture as a career, thanks in part to their exposure to the food programmes at our schools. Our children are the future of a sustainable planet and sustainable agricultural practices. By educating them, we can help ensure better food production, nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for thousands of people.
In Honduras, one of our children, Eva, found a passion for agriculture and has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and skills to support her community. She has gone on to college to study agricultural skills. Read her story below to see how she has developed her passion for better food production and access for poor people in Honduras.
Mt Iztaccíhuatl Expedition Updates
In December 2023, Enrique climbs Mt Iztaccíhuatl. You can read his updates on training and preparing for the expedition here
UNSDG Blog
In September 2023, the UN reviewed its progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Over October, we reflected on how we work towards these goals within our programmes providing our children with the opportunities to escape from poverty and thrive.
Tanzania programme visit 2023
In September, Nicola and Carey from the World Villages team travelled to Tanzania for the inauguration of the new boys’ school in Dodoma. It will serve to educate some of the most impoverished boys in Tanzania.