Muhammedan LBS welcomes EU parliamentarians

By Rohey drammeh Parliamentarians from the European Union were welcomed at the Muhammedan Lower Basic School in Banjul. The parliamentarians, in collaboration with World Food Program, are in the country as part of plans to visit all EU programs and projects in The Gambia. Welcoming the delegation, Alagie Cham, the school principal, said of the school feeding program initiated by the EU and the WFP: “The food is prepared by 4 women who get a compensation ratio. The children break everyday between 11-12hrs to have a hot midday meal before returning to class for the afternoon session. Due to growing family hardships, for many children, this is increasingly the only meal they eat during the day.” Wanja Kaaria, a representative and country director of WFP, said the idea of the School Feeding Program in The Gambia was initiated more than four decades ago. He explained that it was under the lands and local government ministry, before its transfer to the basic and secondary education ministry. “The school started receiving support for school meals from WFP in the 1970’s. Over the years school meals programmes have been funded by a variety of donors, with the biggest support coming from the European Union.” Norbert Neuser, head of the EU parliament delegation, said: “We came to visit all the organisations that the EU is supporting and, we are so impressed and happy with the way the students welcomed us. And I have to admit that Gambian children are so smart and intelligent.” Members of the visiting delegation came from France, Germany and England.]]>