Times are tight and the burden of feeding children is a huge one on the shoulders of parents, but parents in Kerewan, the administrative capital of North Bank Region, are happy to share disquiet with the World Food Program (WFP) and the European Union.

The UN agency for feeding is providing a nutritious meal to more than 500 children attending Kerewan Lower Basic School every day. This was disclosed recently during a visit at the school by the EU ambassador to The Gambia.

The EU is one of the major supporters of the WFP’s school meals programme in the provinces.

“I am extremely pleased to see children eating in school. Caring for children is our obligation and I will continue to advocate for them,” said Ambassador Attila Lajos.

According to the WFP, the composition of the meals reflects joint efforts between their organisation, Kerewan Lower Basic School and the community.

The meals consist of rice, peas and oil provided by WFP, thanks to E’s support, fresh vegetables grown in the school garden, which is maintained by the students and the parents and peanut butter provided for free by the school's mothers’ club.

The feeding programme in Kerewan started in 2012 and covers up to 137 schools including early childhood development centers.