Resilience in the face of hardship

As a Programmes Relationship Officer at Mary’s Meals, I know first-hand the challenges we face delivering school meals in some of the world’s most dangerous and challenging locations. Supporting our partners to deliver our school feeding programme in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, we serve some of the world’s most vulnerable children, those hardest to reach who might otherwise be forgotten.   

The promise of a nutritious school meal helps to bring children living in fragile and crisis-affected areas into the safety of the classroom, providing them with food and a sanctuary from the chaos around them where they can learn, play and simply be children.    

And because of our low-cost model, we can provide this for a child for a whole school year for less than £20.

In areas of high insecurity and instability, we work closely with our expert local partners to adapt our school feeding programme and pivot when necessary, so that we can keep providing children in crisis with food, stability and a sense of normality.   

As recent tensions have escalated in the Middle East, Lebanon has been among the countries hardest hit by the conflict. Most schools across the country are closed and community centres operated by our partner, Dorcas, have suspended normal educational activities. These community centres, along with many schools, are now serving as shelters for Internally Displaced People. 

With the safety of their staff confirmed, we quickly began work with Dorcas to ensure we could continue to provide support through the worsening humanitarian situation – by serving our school meals as take-home rations from Dorcas’ community centres. While prioritising children already enrolled in our school feeding programme, Dorcas is now also serving meals to children and families who are currently in shelters surrounding their community centres – as well as distributing food parcels to households in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where access to food and basic services are severely constrained. 

For children affected by conflict, regular and nourishing school meals are not just beneficial. They are vital for helping them to stay healthy and helping them to build resilience in the face of ongoing hardship.  

Mohamad lives in Batroun, in Lebanon, where conflict and economic instability have made everyday life a struggle for survival. But thanks to Mary’s Meals, he knows he will eat today. 

He says: “When I know that I will eat, I feel safe and happy. I have energy to play with my friends. I don’t have to sit and wonder when I will eat again.” 

As conflict and crisis continue to disrupt children’s lives around the world, your donation will make the difference between a child struggling in the most devastating of circumstances and a child experiencing a sense of stability and normality through school meals.  

Just £19.15 will provide a child with food, stability and hope for a whole school year. With your support, we can continue reaching children who need us most – and bring hope to many more still waiting.  

Peter Rowe 
Mary’s Meals Programme Relationships Officer