July 23, 2025 — Senior Representative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oliver Flake, recognizes the indispensable importance of the Mozambican government’s support for the continuity and sustainability of the School Feeding Program, which is assisting 80,000 primary school students in the districts of Meconta and Monapo, in Nampula province, and Milange district, in Zambézia province.
Flake visited schools covered by the school feeding program in Meconta district, in Nampula province, northern Mozambique, where World Vision, the National School Feeding Program, and partners are implementing the Partnering for Sustainable Education Outcomes (PARES).
“We appreciate the commitment of the government and we look forward to possibilities for the betterment of our partnership so that school meals programs can bring long-lasting benefits,” he stated in a brief courtesy meeting with the District Administrator of Meconta.
In turn, the District Administrator of Meconta, Orlando Muaevano, highlighted the impact of school meals in reducing school dropouts, among other benefits.
“School meals have proven to be a strong incentive for student retention, especially for girls, who are also improving their reading and writing skills,” he said.
For World Vision-Mozambique National Director, Maria Carolina, the PARES project is a prime example that integrated school feeding programs create enabling learning environments for children.
“We are grateful for the support from the American government, in particular the United States Department of Agriculture, and World Vision US, who make our work possible to assist hundreds of thousands of children with daily meals.”
The PARES project covers 157 primary schools and aims to contribute to improving the literacy instruction of school-aged children while also promoting the use of good health, nutrition, and dietary practices.
