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Boys joke and pose together in Zambia

Zambia

Mary’s Meals reaches more than 400,000 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).

Rates of malnutrition, poverty and food insecurity are high in Zambia. It is estimated that one million people have insufficient food consumption and – with survival taking precedence over education – many primary school-age 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, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique and Malawi.

A girl with a mug of porridge

Mary's Meals in Zambia

Mary’s Meals has been serving school meals to children in Zambia since 2014 and the programme has grown significantly in recent years.

We are the main provider of school meals in the 11 districts where we operate in the Eastern Province: Chadiza, Chasefu, Chipangali, Chipata, Kasenengwa, Katete, Lumezi, Lundazi, Mambwe, Sinda, and Vubwi. We work in collaboration with representatives from the Zambian Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders.

We are currently providing more than 400,000 children across the country with daily meals in school with the help of dedicated volunteer cooks.

Taonga Primary Zambia

Feeding Zambia’s future

Following 10 years of Mary’s Meals school feeding in Zambia, we’re now serving daily school meals to more than 400,000 learners.
 Read more about Feeding Zambia’s future
When did we start working in Zambia?

Marys’ Meals first served school meals in Zambia in 2014.

How many children do we reach in Zambia?

We are currently serving meals to more than 400,000 children across 11 districts.

What meal do we provide?

A corn and soya porridge that is fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Where are we based/where do we operate?

Our school feeding programme operates in 11 districts in Zambia and we are the main provider of school meals in each of the areas where we work: Chadiza, Chasefu, Chipangali, Chipata, Kasenengwa, Katete, Lumezi, Lundazi, Mambwe, Sinda and Vubwi.

What is the capital city of Zambia?

The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka.

What language(s) is spoken in Zambia?

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

What currency is used in Zambia?

The Zambian Kwacha (ZMW).

What currency is the population of Zambia?

The population of Zambia is 20,290,000.