Scottish Catholic Observer

The Scottish charity founded, in 2002, has expanded rapidly from it’s beginnings providing a lunch of maize-based porridge for children at a primary schools in the Blantyre area and is delighted to have reached this milestone.

The children it reaches include victims of the earthquake in Haiti, those recovering from civil wars in Liberia and Uganda and street children in India, the Philippines and Ukraine. In Malawi, Mary’s Meals now feeds 14 per cent of primary school children.

“Our vision is that every child should be able to receive a meal in a place of education,” says founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (above). “People often say we are unrealistic, but having seen Mary’s Meals grow, I know its not impossible. In this world of plenty, it’s more mad that millions of children are dying of hunger-related causes, or are out of school through poverty.”

Although recent growth has been rapid, Mary’s Meals has kept its headquarters in rural Argyll and its commitment to spending 93p in every £1 donated on its charitable work. Costs are kept low by recruiting volunteers to prepare meals, and sourcing food locally wherever possible, meaning that Mary’s Meals is able to feed a child in school for an average of £9.40 a year.