Children's Breakfast Project battles undernourishment in Northeast Thailand

Pork bone soup, fried chicken thigh, a glass of milk and tropical fruit -- a simple breakfast like this can make all the difference to the day of a Thai child, but many children in provinces in Northeast Thailand skip it regularly. Their parents leave home early to travel to work and do not recognise the need for it.

A Thai pre-school teacher explained the impact of hunger on children in the classroom: "In the past, the children did not eat breakfast before going to class. They lacked concentration and were often moody during lessons."

After listening to the community's needs in three provinces, World Vision began implementing 'Children's Breakfast Project' in pre-schools to ensure that children have a nourishing breakfast each morning and that parents and pre-schools learn how to provide adequate nutrition for their little ones.

One mother of a two year old boy who has benefitted from regular breakfasts was very pleased with the results. "Since my son joined the project, he feels much better than before. He does not get sick so often. When he came home from school yesterday, he was singing! I think because he was in a good mood."

Before the project, more than 12% of the children were under normal weight. After implementation of the project, that figured had dropped dramatically to 1.4% in under a year! Children are healthier, stronger, and less temperamental in class. Their growling tummies have been silenced able to focus their minds because their stomachs are not growling.

Now the Royal Thai government is involved and taking ownership for the wellbeing of local children! Two district governments will cover 20% of the project budget for 2013, with a provisional commitment for 50% in 2014.

Other pre-schools in the area have seen the positive impact, and are keen to start the project to their own schools.