World Vision Amplifies Children’s Voices on Hunger and Malnutrition

World Vision Malawi has taken steps to amplify children’s voices on the critical issues of child hunger and malnutrition through nutrition dialogue workshops in primary schools across Dowa District. These efforts aim to identify lasting solutions to hunger and malnutrition among children in the area.

During a workshop held on Tuesday at Kasangu Primary School in the Kasangadzi Area Programme, Lizzie Lombe, World Vision Malawi’s Advocacy Campaigns and Safeguarding Manager, emphasized the importance of giving children a platform to speak about the challenges they face.

“These dialogues enable children to voice their concerns about hunger and malnutrition and propose solutions from their perspective,” Lombe said. “We aim to not only amplify their voices but also drive increased investment in school feeding programs and other necessary policy-level actions.”

She highlighted the involvement of key stakeholders, including parents, faith leaders, and community chiefs, in addressing hunger and malnutrition. “While this issue has persisted for some time, these discussions will prompt urgent attention and action from these stakeholders,” she added.

Mayeso, a Standard 8 student at Kasangu Primary School, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting its educational value. “These workshops have equipped us with knowledge to combat hunger and malnutrition. We will share these messages through our school clubs to ensure collective action,” he said.

Mayeso also highlighted the positive ripple effects of the initiative, such as reducing absenteeism and addressing risky behaviors among some girls seeking food.

Kasangu Primary School’s headteacher, Catherine Kapapa, noted that the program will significantly improve nutrition and, by extension, students’ academic performance. “When learners attend school hungry, they often struggle to concentrate and perform poorly,” she said.

Kapapa added that the initiative encourages parents to cultivate vegetable and fruit gardens at home, while also teaching children to utilize locally available foods that are often overlooked.

The nutrition dialogues are part of World Vision’s Enough campaign, launched in August, which seeks to end hunger and malnutrition among children.