Breakfast Program
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Established in January 2007, the Breakfast Program was created by Signs of Hope in Africa for pre-school children, aged 2-6 years old. Currently there are 3 pre-schools taking part in the program, which provides children with porridge three times a week.
The porridge is made from flour, grains, red beans, coconut and fresh spices from the island such as cumin, cardamom and cinnamon. It provides basic nutrition to these children who had previously been attending preschool daily on an empty stomach, affecting their ability to focus, be creative and learn. We all know that a child’s ability to absorb information is greatest when they are young and that opportunity to learn should never be disrupted by hunger pains and fatigue associated with not having enough to eat.
This breakfast program helps children obtain a strong start and will have lasting, positive effects as they continue on in their education.
Three village women have been hired to prepare and serve the porridge, with each woman working in a different pre-school. Their weekly wage provides them and their families with a stable income.
Initially 200 children in the area were registered in pre-school, but since the start of the Breakfast Program, another 100 children have started attending.
The monthly cost to provide these 300 children with porridge is $250 USD.