Her Education

Empowering the next generation of women

At Mary’s Meals, we truly believe that education is for everyone.

Our school feeding programmes encourage all children to attend school and girls make up 50% of the children in school across our global programme. This is important as only 49% of countries across the world have an even gender split in primary education.*

So many girls are missing out on a vital education that could pull them out of poverty. 129 million girls are out of school worldwide. Together, we can change their future.

*UNICEF

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Image of girl in class learning at a chalkboard with teacher

What challenges do girls face?

Sadly, in many of the countries where we work, girls are less likely to be encouraged to go to school than their male counterparts. Poverty often makes parents choose between their children and girls are often kept out of school to help around the house, work, or even be married off. By offering a daily school meal, we provide an incentive for parents to send their daughters to school, which ultimately can lead them out of poverty.

There is gender inequality in education around the world, but by providing daily meals in school, we remove one hugely significant barrier for girls, giving them opportunities that they otherwise may not have.

The girls who receive Mary’s Meals today can one day grow up, well-nourished and well-educated, to become the women who will lift their communities out of poverty.

How can you help?

Without your support, none of our work is possible.

By supporting Mary’s Meals and spreading the word about our mission, you are ensuring that girls in the 17 countries in which we feed are able to learn and become better educated women.

These girls may be the teachers or leaders of tomorrow, and for over 20 years, your incredible support has enabled millions of girls to overcome barriers to education.

129 million girls are out of school worldwide. Together, we can change their future.

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Learning, not working

Mantasha, 12, has had a difficult childhood. Her mother sadly died of tuberculosis when Mantasha was just six-years-old and her father was left disabled and unable to work after he also contracted the same disease. The family soon moved to Delhi because Mantasha’s aunt lives there and her father was hoping she could help to support his children. 

09 Jul 2024

Isatu, a girl from Liberia, smiling outside her school

Breaking down barriers and empowering girls in Liberia

Isatu lives in Grand Cape Mount County in Liberia, an area not too far from the school she attends. At 16 years old, she is among the oldest in her grade six class and like many other girls from her community, is aware of the ingrained beliefs about gender roles that say girls should wash dishes, cook, clean the house, and wash clothes.

12 Jul 2024

Giving girls in Yemen the chance to dream

Saleha is seven years old and in grade two at school in Yemen – where more than half of the population don’t have enough to eat. The deadly civil war in the Middle Eastern country has been ongoing since 2014 and at least one in four schools in the country have been destroyed, damaged or are no longer in use for education.

12 Jul 2024

Only after I came here did I start to feel hope that I could be educated. I want to be a teacher and give the same hope to other children. My dream is to build a school and then teach there. Mantasha, 11, India