
Zambia
Mary’s Meals feeds more than 450,000 children every school day in Zambia!
Published onZambia is a landlocked country situated on a plateau in South-Central Africa. It takes its name from the Zambezi River, which starts in Zambia and flows through countries including Angola, Namibia and Botswana, before meeting the Indian Ocean. Zambia is bordered by Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Angola to the west, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to the south, and Malawi to the east.
Zambia has a mostly humid, sub-tropical climate with an average rainfall of 34 inches per year (falling mostly in December). It is mostly high, flat terrain and less than 5% of the land is suitable for farming crops. The country suffers from high rates of malnutrition, poverty and food insecurity, with many children out of school. For those children who are able to attend school, one million go to class hungry.
The UN estimates that almost 50% of people in Zambia can’t meet their daily calorie requirements and, with survival often taking precedence over education, 45% of Zambia's primary school age children drop out of school early.
Approximately 58% of Zambia's population are currently earning below the International Poverty Line of $2.15 a day.

Mary's Meals in Zambia
Mary's Meals has been serving school meals to hungry children in Zambia since 2014.
We are the main provider of school meals in all ten districts where we operate in the Eastern Province of the country – Chipata, Mambwe, Chipangali, Lumezi, Lundazi, Chasefu and Kasenengwa. We work in collaboration with representatives from the Zambian Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders.
We are currently feeding more than 450,000 children in schools across the country.

Emergency in Southern Africa
Southern Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. Six countries have declared a state of emergency, and the UN has called for action to avoid a full-scale humanitarian disaster in the region.
Crops have failed, cattle are dying, and food is scarce and expensive. Extreme temperatures and a lack of rain means families have little to get them through until the next harvest, which is expected to be very lean again this year.
The situation is desperate. Families have little to no food to put on the table and an estimated 21 million children are suffering from malnutrition.
In Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, our school meals are bringing vital relief to families. The promise of Mary’s Meals means they know their children will eat at school and they can stretch the little food they have at home further.
- When did we start working in Zambia?
We have been working in Zambia since 2014.
- How many children do we feed in Zambia?
We are currently feeding more than 450,000 children.
- What meal do we provide?
Maize and soya porridge (fortified with vitamins and minerals).
- Where are we based/where do we operate?
We work in 10 districts in Zambia, where Mary’s Meals is the main provider of school meals in Chadiza, Chasefu, Chipangali, Chipata, Kasenengwa, Katete, Lumezi, Lundazi, Mambwe and Vubwi.
- What is the capital city of Zambia?
The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka.
- What is the population of Zambia?
The population of Zambia is 17.9 million.
- What is the currency of Zambia?
Zambian Kwacha (ZMW ZK)