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Boys joke and pose together in Zambia

Zambia

Mary’s Meals feeds 420,896 children every school day in Zambia!

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Where we work

Life in Zambia

Zambia is currently ranked 154 out of 191 countries and territories in the Human Development Index (HDI). Around 61% of the population lives below the international poverty line ($2.15 USD a day).

The World Food Program estimates that one million people in Zambia have insufficient food consumption and, with survival taking precedence over education, many of Zambia's primary school-aged children drop out of school early.

Zambia is a landlocked country situated on a plateau in South-central Africa. It takes its name from the Zambezi River, which starts in Zambia and flows through countries including Angola, Namibia and Botswana, before meeting the Indian Ocean. Zambia is bordered by Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Angola to the west, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to the south, and Malawi to the east.  Zambia has a mostly humid, sub-tropical climate with an average rainfall of 34 inches per year (falling mostly in December). It is mostly high, flat terrain and less than 5% of the land is suitable for farming crops.

The country suffers from high rates of malnutrition, poverty and food insecurity. For those children who are able to attend school, one million go to class hungry.

A girl with a mug of porridge

Mary's Meals in Zambia

Marys’ Meals has been serving school meals to hungry children In Zambia since 2014.

We are the main provider of school meals where we operate in the Eastern Province of the country – Chipata, Mambwe, Chipangali, Lumezi, Lundazi, Chasefu and Kasenengwa. We work in collaboration with representatives from the Zambian Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders.

We are currently serving 420,896 children in 752 schools across the country.

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International Day of Education

This International Day of Education (24 January), we are taking a closer look at some of the countries where we work to showcase the impact of our school feeding programme in different education settings and to meet some of the incredible people helping to shape the lives of the next generation.

 Read more about International Day of Education
When did we start working in Zambia?

Marys’ Meals has been serving school meals to hungry children In Zambia since 2014

How many children do we feed in Zambia?

We are currently feeding 420,896 children in 752 schools in Zambia.

What meal do we provide?

Maize and soya porridge (fortified with vitamins and minerals).

Where are we based/where do we operate?

We work in 10 districts in Zambia, where Mary’s Meals is the main provider of school meals in Chadiza, Chasefu, Chipangali, Chipata, Kasenengwa, Katete, Lumezi, Lundazi, Mambwe and Vubwi.

What is the capital city of Zambia?

The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka

What language(s) are spoken in Zambia?

Zambia’s official language is English, but there are more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country

What is the population of Zambia?

The population of Zambia is 19,439,243

What currency is used in Zambia?

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)