WFP has launched its 19-Cents-a-Day campaign to help feed more of the 300 million chronically hungry children around the world, who either do not go to school or don't receive a meal while in class.

For a child suffering from hunger, going to school is not important. Having enough food to eat is. Yet most schools in developing countries do not have canteens or cafeterias.

For 19 cents, WFP's school feeding programme guarantees a daily lunch for a hungry student. For just US$34, the Agency can feed a student for a whole school year.

For only 19 cents a day, we can vastly improve the lives of children all over the world.
James Morris, WFP Executive Director

WFP's free school lunches not only help to feed some 16 million of the world's poorest students. They also encourage children to attend class and concentrate on their studies.

On a full tummy, a child's ability to learn is dramatically improved. When they're running on empty, students are easily distracted and have problems concentrating on their lessons.

SPECIAL FOCUS

School feeding has a special focus on girls.

Surveys indicate that girls who go to school have 50 percent fewer children and these tend to be healthier, and better cared for and more likely to attend school themselves.

In areas where girls' enrolment rates are particularly low, their regular attendance is rewarded with food for their families. This food offsets the loss of labour to the family and makes school an affordable and attractive option for parents.

It's not just the children who benefit, but also their families and communities.

In countries, where students receive a minimum four years of primary schooling, studies show that farmers’ productivity increases by almost 10 percent – a critical margin for families struggling to make ends meet.

TIME OF GIVING

During the next two years, WFP school feeding programme aims to feed 35 million primary students. By 2007, the Agency hopes to reach 50 million school children around the world.

To meet these goals, on December 18, Goodwill Ambassador and former US Senator George McGovern launched WFP's '19-Cents-a-Day' campaign.

"Over the holiday season we are hoping that people take time to reflect on the challenges faced by the severely poor," says WFP's Executive Director James Morris. "For only 19 cents a day, we can vastly improve the lives of children all over the world."