A SCHOOL meals charity based in Scotland says it is now feeding more than two million of the world’s poorest children across 19 countries.
Mary’s Meals said it will mark the occasion in the remote desert region of Turkana in Kenya, just one of the areas where its meals nourish children living in poverty.
The charity, registered in Dalmally, Argyll, delivers food to children in schools to allow the most vulnerable to attend lessons and concentrate in class, boosting their chances of improving their lives.
READ MORE: Mary's Meals tells Westminster to keep it out of pro-Union campaigns
Founder and chief executive Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (below), said the milestone was an “an amazing moment in the Mary’s Meals story” and thanked people who donated for their “overwhelming” generosity.
He said: "I thank you with all my heart on behalf of each of those children, for every bit of hard work, for every gift given, for all those unique things each person brings to this enormous Mary’s Meals’ table.
“For every one of those children that ate today, many more are still waiting for Mary’s Meals to come to their school, so we go on. But this happy day shows us that this vision of ours is possible.”
The charity began its global school feeding operation with 200 pupils in Malawi in 2002 – and now a third of primary school kids in the country are fed by its local volunteers, Mary’s Meals said.
It today fed 2,058,099 children, according to a post on social media. In a video shared with that post, MacFarlane-Barrow said thanked everyone fall "all the little acts of love" that had made the growth possible.
The video was shared by broadcaster Stephen Fry, who said he was "delighted to hear that this amazing charity [is] now feeding TWO MILLION children".
Deputy First Minister John Swinney also praised the group, saying it is a "truly wonderful initiative delivering food to children who need it - with love".
A truly wonderful initiative delivering food to children who need it - with love. Well done @MarysMeals https://t.co/RK9tQnqXxL
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) September 8, 2021
One child being fed by the charity is 11-year-old Gift, a pupil at Kabila Primary School in Zambia who used to skip class to scavenge for scraps.
But now he enjoys a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge every day at school and says he does not feel hungry at school any more.
He said: “I want to make a better future for myself. School is the only way to do that. When I finish school, I want to be a doctor and I want to be in a position where I can help my family.”
The landmark of two million children being fed by the charity will be celebrated in an online event at 7pm and can be accessed at: marysmeals.org/2-million
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