Let hope flourish this Easter

In our journey towards the hope and joy of Easter, we pass through the most difficult moments with Jesus, His betrayal and His death on the cross. Amid the bright displays of chocolate eggs in shops, it’s easy to rush ahead to the celebration without considering the suffering that gave the festivity its meaning. 

As Easter approaches, the suffering of communities in many parts of the world is on my mind. In Haiti, where we have been working since 2006, gang violence continues to escalate, with vulnerable children increasingly targeted to join their ranks. 

In Tigray, Ethiopia, cuts to international aid and increased political instability risk the slow progress made as the region tries to rebuild after years of conflict and drought. And in Yemen, the scale of need is hard to grasp, with more than 60% of the population not having enough food to eat. 

It is easy to slip towards hopelessness when we consider the scale of the problems facing the world. Yet in each of these cases, I find hope in the simple, but powerful impact of Mary’s Meals. Our daily school meals provide a reliable source of food for hungry children, bringing relief to families worried about where their next meal will come from. And they give children living in some of the world’s poorest countries a chance to gain an education and work towards a brighter future. Even in the midst of suffering, Mary’s Meals brings hope that the future can be different.  

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” (Romans 15:13) 

Summer Nasser is CEO of Yemen Aid, our partner in Yemen. She has seen remarkable change unfolding in the region since the introduction of our school feeding programme in 2022.  

She says: “The highlight of the Mary’s Meals partnership has been witnessing the happiness and transformation it brings to children and their communities. Providing meals not only encourages families to prioritise education but also energises students to focus and thrive.”  

Mallak is eleven and she eats Mary’s Meals at her school in Yemen. She told us: “The most beautiful thing for me is to come with my friends and learn… If I hadn’t come to school, I would be sitting at home unable to read and write.” 

Mallak is just one of more than 2.6 million children around the world who have discovered the joy and hope of learning thanks to Mary’s Meals, even as challenges face them beyond their classroom walls.  

As we spend time contemplating Christ’s suffering and ultimately rejoicing with Him in the joy of His resurrection, let our sense of hope be born anew, and let hope flourish in the communities where Mary’s Meals are served. 

Sarah Mallon
Supporter Engagement Officer