Back when I was in grade school, a tray of one-pint milk cartons was brought into the classroom at lunch hour each day. Standing out amidst all the brown cartons of chocolate milk was my lonely white carton of white skim milk! My classmates laughed at me for drinking the white milk, but it was my mom the dietitian who made me drink it for my better health.
In HEAL’s work of forming Servant Leaders, providing proper nutrition for the Masters (the children) is crucial. “We provide one meal per day for our day students and three meals per day for our boarding students,” says HEAL Founder, Rev. Leo Okonkwo. With 300 children enrolled in MENPS and BOMCA, the cost of providing these daily meals over one year is VERY HIGH.
We farm and grow about 30% of the food we consume, including crops like pumpkin, cocoyams, and cassava. Out of cassava, we make garri, a staple and highly nutritious food among Nigerians. Grown food is not sufficient for our needs, however. “We buy most of our food such as rice, beans, maize, and pasta from local markets in Onitsha and Owerri,” Rev. Leo says.
Because the Masters come from poor families, whether day or boarding students, they don’t bring their own lunch to school. If HEAL didn’t provide meals, most of the children would be forced to stay home and work for their parents on the day-to-day survival of the family. We (meaning YOU) are their only hope for a brighter and better tomorrow!
Rather than quote our 2019 food budget, I simply ask that you look into your heart and help us with your best gift. Also, if you have any ideas to help us meet our food needs for the year, please let me know!