Starting in September 2023, AKUN began funding the ingredients for the Mbambazi Primary School weekly lunch program. The school is in the Zambezi region of Namibia.
Parents volunteer to cook each week.
Mbambazi Primary School
The classes lining up with the plates
provided by the school.
All of the students of the school get 2 lunches per week.
The History of the School Lunches Program
The school's weekly lunch program began in March 2021 and feeds all 132 students each Wednesday. Sadly, their sponsor was unable to continue providing the ingredients. AKUN agreed to cover the costs, $93.88 per month, from September to the end of the year. School Principal, Mr. Simasiku explained the program's importance to the school role and attendance: 'In 2020 the enrolment was 65 learners with 5 teachers and today is 132 learners with 8 teachers. This is due to the impact of the School Feeding Program. The parents have trust in the staff and learners are coming and we project the number to be 145 or more in 2024.'
During October and November, Barbara was able to talk with Mr. Simasiku the school principal and see the program in action. She also spoke to some of the teachers regarding the benefits of the program to the children's education. During our November 2023 Board Meeting, we decided to fund the ingredients for the program in 2024, enabling it to continue running once a week on a Wednesday.
From May 2024, due to the worsening drought, AKUN Board voted to fund 2 meals per week: on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The decrease in absenteism and the increase in number of students (now about 160) as well as better grades lead us to decide to continue funding 2 lunches per week in 2025. This could only be done thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Legal Notice
AKUN is a non profit corporation (501 c3) registered in the State of Alaska, USA