By Tendai Matunhu

First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa says her support for the schools feeding programme is motivated by the long distances rural pupils have to travel to get to school without having eaten yet they are expected to concentrate and excel.

Speaking at the meeting of the First lady’s initiative to support the school feeding program, held in Harare yesterday, the first lady said her ideas were on the issue of food wastage and how best to change the way food is prepared and that processing excess food could improve food security.

She said, “In Manicaland we are working towards a fruit and vegetable drying initiative in order to preserve food particularly the nutritional content of the food that they prepare for their families.”

The First lady went on to highlight that the issue of children that walk long distances to school touched her.

“One of the issues that has struck me is the fact that many children, particularly in the rural areas go to school without having eaten anything, walk long distances to reach school and yet are expected to concentrate on their studies, participate in physical education and excel.”

She further acknowledged Government efforts through food and nutrition programmes and invited interested parties to contribute towards this initiative.

“While I acknowledge Government’s efforts through all food and nutrition programmes, including the home grown school feeding program, it is my strong belief that there is much room for all other players to contribute towards protecting the most vulnerable among us.

“As a mother of the nation I rely on your support to make a difference to the children as they prepare for their adult lives through education. My expectations include nutritious feeding in order to prevent stunting so that they excell in every aspect of their lives,” she said

Present at the event were Government officials from different Ministries, representatives from faith based organisations, business people, Grain Millers and private organization. All of them pledged to give their support to the First lady’s initiative.