The Problem
In the South Ethiopia region, 65% of school children showed signs of malnutrition. Hunger led to poor concentration, high absenteeism (40%), and low academic performance. Many children walked long distances to school without breakfast.
ACEO Solution
In 2020, ACEO launched a comprehensive School Nutrition Program:
- Daily nutritious meals for 3,000 students
- School gardens for sustainable food production
- Nutrition education for parents
- Partnership with local farmers for supply
- Regular health checkups
Measurable Results (3-Year Impact)
| Metric | Before Program | After 3 Years | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Attendance | 60% | 95% | +35% |
| Academic Performance | 45% pass rate | 82% pass rate | +37% |
| Malnutrition Rate | 65% | 15% | -50% |
| Dropout Rate | 25% | 5% | -20% |
Sustainable Model
The program created a sustainable model where:
- School gardens produce 40% of vegetables needed
- Local farmers have guaranteed market
- Parents contribute labor and small fees
- Government now replicates the model in 10 other schools
Teacher Testimonial
“Before the program, children slept in class from hunger. Now they’re energetic, focused, and learning. We’ve seen dramatic improvements in test scores and classroom participation,” says Mr. Tadesse, school principal.