Mary’s Meals Impact on School Enrollment - Free School Meals

The impact of Mary's Meals

Our school meals are a lifeline for hungry children and give them the chance to gain an education so they can look to a brighter future.

The impact of a daily school meal

As well as attracting children into the classroom, school feeding has the power to improve concentration and participation in class, as well as increasing children’s overall happiness.

It is therefore a key investment in a country’s future and a cost-effective route out of poverty in the long-term.

Smiling girl with mug and queue of children waiting to be served Mary's Meals behind her

Since Mary’s Meals has come, many children who had stopped attending have returned to school. You can see their enthusiasm! Daniel Cooper, Vice Principal, Liberia

How does Mary’s Meals help children?

Hunger reduction

Our research shows that children’s hunger decreases when daily meals are introduced at school. Children who feel less hungry at school may also worry less about when they will eat next – even if it’s not certain that there will be food available at home.

Image of a child in class happy with their school meal

School attendance

Our school feeding programmes reduce how often children miss school and encourage them to stay in school for the full day. Teachers tell us that the introduction of Mary’s Meals improves children’s attendance and that far fewer learners leave early because of hunger.

Image of a classroom of children in Africa

Concentration and participation

Reliable school meals help children to concentrate on their lessons and participate more actively in the classroom, as well as giving them energy to play with their friends during playtime. Children consistently tell us that school meals make them less tired and more able to focus on their work or the teacher talking.

Image of a child enjoying learning in class

Assessing the impact of Mary’s Meals

Mary’s Meals impact report

Between 2016-2021, we conducted research on the impact of our work in Malawi and Zambia. This research was independently assessed, evaluated and verified by the International NGO Training and Research Centre (INTRAC).

Read our impact report

Image of a child holding their mug of porridge

Mary’s Meals annual impact report

In 2024, we continued our impact assessment work, examining the school feeding programmes’ impacts on children by interviewing learners (using specially designed child surveys that incorporated child-friendly language and images) and collecting teacher and parent perspectives.

School feeding programmes are widely recognised as a cost-effective way to tackle poverty by addressing the immediate needs of hungry children and contributing to the long-term development of their communities. We conduct research annually to show the ongoing impact of our work. View our latest findings here.

Read our 2024 annual impact report

Image of a child holding thier school meal in the classroom

You can make an impact

As a low cost, volunteer lead organisation, we depend on the support of people to spread the word about Mary’s Meals and help us raise funds, so that children around the world can have hope for a better future. See below for ways you can help.