Since 2021/21, the HRF has been providing school meals to 2000 children in five South Omo Zone schools, with financial support from the Chinese Foundation for Rural Development.
Following the HRF and the China Foundation for Rural Development surpassing an agreement to continue providing the school meal program (SMP) in the academic year 2023–2024, the SMP program officially launched in Hamer and Bena Tsemay Woredas as well as Turmi. city administration of South Omo Zone
Mrs. Debrework Leulseged, senior expert of the HRF’s Youth and Women Economic Empowerment Program, along with senior officials from the South Omo Zone Education Department and Woreda level leaders, launched the program. During the inaugural ceremony, Mrs. Debrework stated, “Preparatory work has been carried out to undertake the SMP in newly incorporated schools in the 2023/24 academic year. In addition to the 2,000 students who were previously been supported, an agreement was reached with the China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) to support 500 students, in Turmi City Administration and Hamer Woreda. She continued by saying that this would propel the total number of school meal program beneficiaries in the South Omo Zone to 2,500.
Lastly, she reiterated the HRF’s commitment to promote pastoral children’s education in the Zone.
Hailemariam & Roman Foundation
November 2023, Addis Ababa