In a Tunisian school, Islamic Relief is helping vulnerable children to concentrate on their lessons with regular, nutritious snacks.
In Tunisia, around 1.6 million people live below the national poverty line. For children living in poverty, this can have a profound impact upon their life-chances – including their ability to unlock the opportunities offered through education.
Ghorghar primary school, in the southern governorate of Tataouine, runs a government-supported scheme to provide its poorest students with supplementary food. This is seen as vital in helping children – many of whom face a long walk to school on an empty stomach – to concentrate on their lessons.
However, the school can afford to provide the snacks for just 60 per cent of school days – and water is not offered. The new project from Islamic Relief Tunisia will help the school to bridge the gap, by providing vital supplies for 60 days.
Around 278 children are expected to benefit from the distribution, which begins this month. Twice a day for the duration of the project, poor Ghorghar students will enjoy bottled water as well as balanced snacks such as fruits, yoghurt, cake and biscuits.
Islamic Relief has been working in Tunisia since 2011, when we supported refugees fleeing violence in Libya as well as host communities. In Tataouine, we have also distributed 1,200 school bags to 35 schools in rural areas. In addition, we have provided the regional hospital of Tataouine with life-saving emergency, maternity, and intensive care equipment.