DR Congo: School Feeding, A Real Relief for Families in Kabinda

By Pascaline Milemba, Communications Officer

In Kabinda, in the Lomami province, more than 12,000 children benefit daily from hot meals thanks to the school feeding program implemented by World Vision, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the European Union, and Japan. This initiative aims to improve school enrollment, attendance, retention, and nutrition of students, while providing crucial support to families in a region where poverty and food insecurity are widespread.

A Vital Program for Children

The main objective of this program is to provide children with hot and balanced meals to allow them to attend school without the fear of hunger. This intervention has a direct impact on their concentration, well-being, and academic performance. Before this initiative was launched, many students arrived at school hungry, which severely affected their learning. Today, with daily meals, the children are not only healthier but also more motivated to study.

Marie, a mother from Kabinda, shares her experience:

 “Before, I couldn’t afford to feed my children every day. Now, they eat at school, which is such a relief for me. I’ve noticed a big difference in their behavior and academic results.”

Children are not only beneficiaries but also witnesses of the direct impact on their lives and those of their parents, who today can worry less when their children are at school.

“We are four children from the same family at this school. Before the feeding program, we would ask our parents for money every day to buy snacks during recess. Our parents couldn’t afford this every day. But since the program started, the meals provided are enough for the whole day, and we can hold on until our parents return from the fields between 7 and 8 p.m. to eat again. Sometimes we sleep without eating. This program is very beneficial for me and my brothers,” explains Abigael, 13 years old, a 6th-grade student."

A Relief for Parents

The school canteen program is a real relief for many families, especially those struggling to provide regular meals for their children. Etienne, a farmer, says: 

“My harvests are often insufficient. Thanks to this program, my children eat properly and go to school with more energy. It allows me to focus on other aspects of my life.”

For many parents, this program has helped break the cycle of poverty. Freed from the daily pressure of feeding their children, they can now focus on other priorities, such as improving their financial situation or seeking employment.

A Strong Partnership for the Success of the Program

The success of this initiative relies on close collaboration between World Vision, WFP, the European Union, and Japan. The WFP provides the necessary food supplies, while the European Union and Japan fund the program. World Vision, on its part, manages and implements the initiative on the ground, ensuring an efficient and fair distribution of meals.

Future Prospects

Building on the success of this initiative, many parents are now asking World Vision and its partners to expand the program to other areas of Lomami and beyond. This school feeding program in Kabinda has become an essential support for thousands of families. By providing nutritious meals to children, it not only improves their education but also contributes to the betterment of parents' quality of life. It embodies a model of solidarity and international cooperation that transforms lives and brings hope to those who need it most.