Hunger remains one of the most persistent barriers for visually impaired learners at St Maria Goretti Resource Centre in Nkhata Bay, a challenge that often undermines their ability to concentrate in class and stay in school.
Despite its critical role, the centre continues to struggle with limited accommodation, inadequate bedding, and rising utility costs, challenges that further strain its mission to support visually impaired children.
However, hope has been renewed this week as United General Insurance (UGI), in partnership with Sprodeta, has supported the center with food supplies worth K3 million to support the center’s feeding program.
As part of the package, the learners received maize, beans, cereals, cooking oil, sugar and soap, essentials that the centre struggles to secure consistently.
UGI Chief Operating Officer, McDonald Chibwe, said the intervention is aimed at reducing obstacles that vulnerable learners face so they can remain in school.
“Ensuring that these children have the basic necessities needed for learning is important to us, this support is meant to ease the pressure on the institution and allow learners to focus on their education,” Chibwe said.
Speaking during the handover, St Maria Goretti Director, Father Andrew Kamanga, said the centre depends entirely on donations to operate, making food one of its most frequent shortages.
“This donation will sustain us through the rest of this term and assist us as we begin the next. We are very grateful to UGI and Sprodeta for this support,” he said.
The school cares for children with albinism, total blindness, and low vision, most of whom do not pay school fees.
