It all began with conversations with children who were searching for food in garbage bins. Many of them are orphans, and some simply live on the streets…

– says Sister Władysława Piróg FMM, a missionary in Madagascar.

In Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, there is what is known as a “courtyard canteen.” It is an initiative of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sisters, created in response to the dramatic situation of children living in extreme poverty.

It is common for men to leave their families and travel to other parts of the country in search of work. Few of them return, as they start new families there and gradually forget about their loved ones.

Around 300 children benefit from the “courtyard canteen” every day, which shows the scale of need in this part of the city. Shared meals not only help satisfy hunger, but also provide an opportunity to teach basic hygiene rules, good manners, and catechism.

On Sundays, additional activities are organized, during which the children have time for sports and the development of practical skills. Among the children who attend school and regularly receive meals, there is a clear improvement in their development – both educationally and socially.

The story of little Fara shows what a huge difference even one hot meal a day can make. For many children, it is not only about food, but also about the feeling that someone remembers them. She once asked Sister Władysława to write a message to the Donors: “Please tell them that I love them very much. They are good people, because I am no longer hungry. When I eat my fill at noon, in the evening I can only drink water. Our mother washes people’s clothes by the river, but there are days when she doesn’t even earn enough for rice. Mamisoa, my twin brother, used to cry all the time because he was hungry. I prayed, because even though I was so hungry, I believed that God would help us. Then I would quickly go to sleep so I wouldn’t think about hunger. And look – God helped us. What good people you have there.”

Meals in the “courtyard canteen” are very simple: often rice with pasta and a small addition of vegetables, so that in addition to filling their stomachs, the children also receive vitamins. Preparing such a meal costs only about $0.20. Therefore, for one child to have at least one filling meal a day for an entire month, only about $6–6.50 is needed.

Even a small amount of support can truly improve the everyday lives of these children. Make this small gesture that can turn into a warm meal for a hungry child.

How to Donate

You can support our project by making a bank transfer to the following accounts:

For $: PL 52 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0009; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For €: PL 41 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0013; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For others: IBAN: PL 79 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0008; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
Reference: Child Nutrition Support in Madagascar