School Feeding Program in Sierra Leone

A Brighter Tomorrow for Africa Foundation (BTA) would like to begin by thanking the many generous donors who contributed at the end of the calendar year.  Your funding is helping so very much to support our critical work in Sierra Leone which – as a result of the Ebola crisis – has become one of the poorest countries in the world.  The children need you more than ever.

 BTA is now focusing almost exclusively on making a difference through the establishment of school feeding programs.  There is ample evidence that school feeding programs make a truly positive difference in children’s lives as they provide—

• Nourishment through meals they would otherwise not get.  This translates to weight gain and improved overall health leading to higher capacity to focus and concentrate in school;
• The incentive for children to attend and stay in school every day;
• The promise that children will succeed in school and thus advance to higher levels of education.

This period in a child’s life is vital; their minds are at the most absorbent stage of development. Educating the brain as young as possible is key to creating a path to success later in life

 “Auntie” Sarah Armstrong (Director and Chairman of BTA) began her first BTA school feeding program  in 2004 with 100 students in the Upper Banta Chiefdom/Moyamba Province.  It has grown to more than 1,200.  Students receive breakfast and lunch, and they call the meals “My BTA.” Being nourished has led to great success: this past year, 90% of students passed their national exams to advance to the next level of school.

Here is a great success story from the Upper Banta School that we want to share:

 THE IMPACT OF A BRIGHTER TOMORROW FOR AFRICA (BTA) IN MY LIFE

I was born in Sierra Leone to a single parent family and I live with my mother, two sisters and a brother.

I came to know the Children of the Nations school (with the feeding program funded by BTA) in 2005 when I was a school drop-out selling kerosene in the streets.

 As a little boy with an empty stomach every morning I used to find it difficult to go and be in school with a concentrated mind. But I say thanks to God for you all who provided food through BTA for us in school every day. This food has been a contributing factor in my education because it made me healthy, active and focused. Moreover, it made me to be punctual in school every day because I never wanted to miss the food for a day.

 As a result of this wonderful meal (BTA) provided by you, I stayed in school healthy and active for many years and I am happy to let you all know that I am presently the Head Teacher (Principal) in the same school that I attended and in which I benefited from the BTA food.

Links:

• BTA Director/Chairman Discusses School Feeding Programs