The Japanese Government has funded the construction of school kitchens at three primary schools in Mzimba District under its grassroots assistance project aimed at strengthening school-feeding programmes.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony at Machelecheta Primary School in the district, Japanese Ambassador Naito Yasushi said the project will support daily meal preparation for pupils.
Seibo Maria is running the project under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects.
Naito said the Embassy of Japan and Seibo Maria signed the grant agreement in February this year.
“These kitchens will help prepare warm meals for the children, helping them remain in school and learn with energy,” he said.
Naito urged Seibo Maria, government officials and local communities to ensure that construction works at the three schools are completed on schedule.
The ambassador said Mzimba District and Japan have maintained development ties for more than two decades through Japanese volunteers and non-governmental organisations.
Mzimba district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu said that this support is important to learners because it will help to retain learners in school.
“The school-feeding gives additional reasons for learners to look forward to going to school, thereby improving learners’ retention rate,” he said
Naito lays bricks to commission construction works. | Jacob Nankhonya
