Interview: Priscila de Molina of the World Food Programme in Guatemala - Page 2

What would be the sources of funding for any expansion of the school feeding program?

The national school feeding program is funded by the Government of Guatemala. WFP has supported school feeding by providing everything from high-energy biscuits, to school breakfast or school lunch, to 'atole'. Within the government, WFP has been promoting what we call 'the essential package', which advocates for additional interventions to improve the health and nutrition of school-age children, such as regular de-worming and micronutrient supplementation, use of safe water and latrines, and training to students, parents and teachers on related topics.

How can someone help the school feeding program?

One can support the implementation of a quality school feeding program by targeting resources to implement school-based health and sanitation services. This can include de-worming tablets, micronutrient supplementation, water purification systems, construction of latrines, and seeds for school demonstration gardens to support household food security. In extremely poor provinces, schools lack kitchens and fuel-saving stoves. Technical assistance for institutional strengthening at the local level is also needed. The Ministry of Education is committed to de-centralizing all services (including school feeding) to the 22 provinces of the country.

Anything else you'd like to add about why you think school feeding is important for people to support?

In rural areas, among indigenous populations, children may go to school with an empty stomach. The rations contributed by WFP help these children reach their daily caloric requirements and, in particular, address the micronutrient deficiencies of young, growing children who lack access to quality food at home. Children living in poverty who complete primary school earn higher wages in their adult life than those who do not, thus alleviating poverty. School feeding can serve as a platform for school-based services and also to community-led activities, like the promotion of environmental consciousness through water harvesting and fuel-saving stoves. In Guatemala, WFP's assistance will continue to promote balanced menus at schools, training on health and nutrition to school boards, and, to the extent possible, inclusion of health and sanitation services.

Article Author: William Lambers

William Lambers is the author of "The Roadmap to End Global Hunger," which focuses on the legislation in Congress that would put global hunger at the top of Obama administration's agenda. He is also the author of "Ending World Hunger: School Lunches …

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