Mary’s Meals Malawi on Friday used a film to tell the story of vulnerable girls growing up in poverty, hunger and without parents, putting a human face to the challenges many children in the country face.
Beamed on a big screen at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre, the film told the story of Lettiie Saidi, 25, whose childhood was shaped by the loss of both parents, hunger and the responsibility of looking after her siblings.
Saidi could not hold back her tears as she watched her childhood story unfold before the audience.
The film portrayed not only the hardships she faced, but also how she survived them and the role Mary’s Meals played in helping her to remain in school.
Born in Mbayani, Blantyre, Saidi lost both parents at nine.
Namadingo performing with Jacaranda students. | Kondwani Nyondo
She was in Standard Three at Mbayani Primary School and had to look after her two siblings while she continued with her education.
Saidi faced poverty and food shortages, but the school-feeding programme provided her with a daily meal.
In an interview after the screening, Saidi said that the meals helped her to continue with her education at Mbayani, which was then among the most highly populated primary schools in Africa.
“As children, we had nothing to eat at home. Without Mary’s Meals, we don’t know how we could survive. The porridge we ate in the morning was enough for the day. And we were encouraged to go to school,” she recalls.
Her experience has since become a story of hope and resilience, which she now uses to encourage other organisations to support vulnerable children, particularly those growing up in circumstances similar to hers.
The film also highlighted the work international charity Mary’s Meals has been doing in Malawi for the past 25 years through its school feeding programme.
Mary’s Meals Malawi country director Angela Chipeta-Khonje said the organisation is currently feeding about 1.3 million children in more than 1 000 schools across 24 districts.
She said the school-feeding programme has helped millions of children realise their dreams.
In an interview on the sidelines of the show, Mary’s Meals board chairperson Luc Deschamps said the organisation organised the event to reinforce the connection between food and education.
“When a child eats, they are better placed to participate and perform in class,” he said, describing school meals as key to promoting education in Malawi.
After the film, musician Patience Namadingo joined the Jacaranda Foundation Children’s Choir in a performance in support of Mary’s Meals.
He performed Tuli and Wazgolenge, with Tuli carrying a message of trusting God amid circumstances beyond one’s control.
The songs complemented the film’s themes of loss, faith, hope and survival.
Jacaranda Foundation founder Marie Da Silva said they were excited that Namadingo performed together with the choir.
“This is an honour to us. It is a story of inspiration,” she said. The event was sponsored by First Capital Bank.
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