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Stories from the Field

Thank You, Teachers, For Paving the Way to Zero Hunger!

Maggie L Author
By Maggie Luckadoo on September 25, 2019

When we look at the wide range of contributors involved in accomplishing our efforts to end hunger around the globe, it’s difficult to think of a group of people more critical to this work than teachers.

We know that ending hunger starts in the classroom, where school meals incentivize attendance and teachers provide the essential tools for self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty.

It’s not surprising that time and time again, we hear from children who receive Rise Against Hunger meals that they hope to become teachers when they grow up. Even from a young age, these students understand the important role their teachers play in changing the futures of their communities.

Sharon, a 7th-grade teacher in a dusty city borough outside Lusaka, Zambia, was one such child. As a little girl, she remembers coming to school and receiving meals between attending classes in second grade. She quickly connected with Dorothy, the volunteer principal who remains the leader of her school today. Because of Dorothy’s devotion to her students years ago and commitment to creating opportunities for them, Sharon has returned to the school to pay tribute to her, not only repaying her kindness but also continuing her legacy of hope.

Smart, age 12, also lives in Lusaka, where proximity to large sewer retention pond, flies and disease-carrying mosquitoes lead to high rates of illness and disease. Life began to change for Smart when he was given the opportunity to enroll in the Family Legacy Missions International school. At school, Smart receives a quality education and a Rise Against Hunger meal for lunch each day. He says one of the best qualities of the Rise Against Hunger meals is the packaging — the sealed package ensures that the food is safe from contamination. Smart hopes to become a teacher someday because he understands the importance of education and wants to help others benefit from the same quality of education that he has been fortunate to receive.

The community of Imeristiafindra, Madagascar, is home to 12-year-old girl Maminiaina and her teacher, Mamihantaniaina. Mamihantaniaina says she loves her job as a teacher because she loves taking care of children and hopes to give them a brighter future. She also hopes her school and community will be a model for its neighbors in terms of school academic performance, hygiene and environmental status. Maminaina says she wants to follow in her teacher’s footsteps.

On World Teachers’ Day, we cannot begin to express our gratitude to those who are dedicating their lives to lifting up their communities through education. Please join us in celebrating and supporting teachers across the globe! Donate now to provide school meals and hope to kids worldwide.