A full cup of porridge
For some children in Zambia, their days are spent working to help provide for their family. But for 7-year old Sam, he is able to attend school because his sister works.
Bright-eyed and brimming with youthful curiosity, 7-year-old Sam’s enthusiasm for life and learning belies the poverty and tragedy he has already witnessed in his young life. 
This spirited young boy has lost his father and four siblings, and with an older brother in prison, those who remain in the family home pull together to keep themselves afloat.
Sam is one of the few children in the family able to attend school. The others must work with their mother who has a small trade selling fish and beans.
Sam says the food they receive from Mary’s Meals at school is helping him and his young siblings: “I don’t eat before coming to school. The first time I eat is at school when we have porridge. I like the porridge. It’s nice because I get a full cup.”
Sam’s elder sister, Fostina, has never been to school, and works with her mother to support the family. She is aware of the difference an education will make to the younger members of the family: “The feeding program is really important and has really helped our family,” she says. “Most of the time the children come to school without eating, so they rely on the porridge here.”
She hopes Sam’s future prospects will be greater than her own: “Education is important because they can become whatever they want to be and will also earn money to help other family members.”
Just $31.70 feeds a child for a whole school year.