Medina Bank School Nutrition Program

Year: 2010
Country: Belize
Project Status: Funded
Impact Sector: Education
Project Investment: $500.00

Project Launch:

Medina Bank Government School is a primary school in Belize and to improve the health of the students, the teachers began a school feeding program that provides at least one nutritious lunch per week for the students, as well as occasional healthy snacks. With a $500 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program in 2010 the school was able to purchase their own supplies for the program as opposed to asking students to borrow supplies from their families. Since the program started, students have successfully planted their first school garden and are looking forward to continuing it and to enjoying the food they have worked so hard to grow. The feeding program also provides an opportunity to teach the parent volunteers healthier and more sanitary cooking practices that they can use in their homes. Project leaders believe that as students continue to learn more about gardening, nutrition and healthy lifestyles, they will bring their excitement and knowledge home. The main change noticed by the Peace Corps Volunteer who organized the project is the willingness of the community to participate. Now that the kitchen has its own supplies, volunteers are less stressed and more are asking to participate. These volunteers, many of whom are girls who no longer attend school but who have not yet started their own families, are learning many cooking, nutrition, and safe food handling skills, which will benefit them and their children as they start families. The older students have also shown an increased interest in the program and a willingness to put more effort into the garden as they see their vegetables used in the kitchen, and enjoy the meals that are prepared for them. All of the schoolchildren express excitement on the days they cook at school.

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