The need

Alleviating short-term hunger improves cognition and academic achievement in students, providing greater opportunities for their futures. 

The Bebor Model Nursing and Primary School initially started by building classrooms then moved to water and sanitation initiatives in the schools. In February 2017, the Bebor school nutrition program started with 50 students in the school in Bodo. In March 2020, with the increase in food insecurity in the region, a socially distant version of the program expanded to about 200 kids in three schools of the region.

Current Initiatives

The pervasive food insecurity and malnutrition in rural Niger delta was further exacerbated in recent years by recession and then more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. After COVID shut down schools in the Niger delta in March 2020, a socially distanced version of the pilot program expanded to include about 200 kids at three schools. Women from the community prepare and serve Ogi Soy Plus, a blend of locally sourced crayfish, soybeans and millet, designed by local food scientist, Pastor Ben Inaku. The school feeding program also includes nutrition and illness prevention educational sessions for the parents of the participants, led by Dr. Nabie.   

With the success of the pilot program, the goal is to expand to reach all of the 1,450 children across the six Bebor schools.

Learn more.