Nourishment and Companionship

Life is often lonely for thirteen-year-old Vinoria. 

Her mother, Elizabeth, 27, was very young when she had Vinoria. She works long shifts in a bar to make ends meet, meaning Vinoria spends much of her time alone with the burden of household chores falling to her.

Mornings are a particularly busy time for this Zambian teenager. She wakes at 06:00 to fetch water, do the dishes, clean the house. If she has time to spare, Vinoria studies ahead of her lessons.

English is Vinoria’s favourite subject, and she aspires to one day become a teacher to help children learn to read and write.

She says: “I like school because I come here to learn, and I also like the porridge. I want to be a teacher when I’m older so I can help children who are illiterate to become literate.

“When I leave school, I do my homework and cook nshima (porridge) for my supper. Sometimes, I go to a neighbour’s house to watch television. I go to bed at 8 pm.

“Most of the time my mother isn’t around,” Vinoria says. “I’m alone, doing the household chores. I get tired.”

Vinoria’s mother, says the Covid-19 pandemic caused immense pressure for the family as schools and bars were closed. 

“When the children were at home during the pandemic, it wasn’t good,” she says. “They were just sitting at home. There was no business because the bar was closed by the health officers.”

The daily promise of a nutritious meal at school gives security to thousands of children living in Zambia, like Vinoria, who attend school hungry, unsure of when their next meal will be.

Elizabeth says: “The porridge is assisting Vinoria because I’m often not at home, and she goes to school on an empty stomach.”