July 2025

Now it is possible to continue the financing of the exemplary Laeley Seken school meal program, which is successfully organized entirely by local private Ethiopian initiatives and financed by donations from Germany.

The Laeley Seken school is located in a remote rural area of the northern Ethiopian province Tigray, in the region of the provincial town of Abiy Addi, northwest of the provincial capital Mekelle.

Since 2024, the children have received a warm meal once a day. The food is stored at the school and was purchased with donations from Etiopia-Witten e. V. It consists mainly of rice and spicy legume porridge, prepared according to a traditional recipe. The village community from which the children come is responsible for cooking. In addition, on certain days, the children receive large cereal bars for children instead, which are specially fortified with proteins and vitamins. This helps to counteract malnutrition.

The school's dedicated teachers carefully supervise this program and report that it has been well received by the students, which is reflected in the sharp increase in attendance. The number of students present has increased from 75% to 95%. The proportion of children who arrive late has dropped from 12% to 1.2%.

We are delighted with this result!

Since the economic and political problems in Tigray are far from being settled, it may be that, contrary to expectations, we will have to continue to finance school meals even after the coming harvest season. This is now well secured by this generous donation.

Children queuing for the school feeding

Having to start with morning tea and nourishing biscuits