Imagine providing a meal for one million children on a daily basis in a place of education. It sounds almost impossible, but Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow is doing it. The former salmon farmer provides meals for over one million children around the world through his Mary’s Meals program.
It all started in 2002 when Magnus traveled to Malawi. The country was experiencing a terrible famine. While in the country, Magnus met a family whose father had died during the famine. “The mother Emma was also dying and she was surrounded by her children,” remembers Magnus. “There were six of them.”
Magnus asked her eldest son Edward what he hoped for in life. They talked about his hopes and dreams. Edward’s ambition was simple. He wanted enough food to eat and to go to school. He wasn’t the only child with such simple ambitions. Many of the children that Magnus met on the trip to Malawi were not attending school as they had to beg or work in order to get a meal.
“My encounter with Edward ignited the mission for Mary’s Meals,” says Magnus. “It is simply about providing one good meal every day in a place of education.”
Although the Mary’s Meals program has grown to cover various countries around the world, Malawi still remains its biggest beneficiary. The program provides meals for more than 25% of primary school aged children in the country today.
The types of meals provided vary. The food provided can be as simple as a bowl of porridge but this goes a long way according to Magnus. “One cup of porridge can seem like little to us who have plenty. However, it can do a lot of different things. It can ensure that many children are coming to school. It can ensure that they are able to concentrate and learn. It can ensure that they are healthy. It can change the course of their lives.”
The concept of Mary’s Meals seems like a simple one. However, its implications are far reaching. They go beyond the current generation. Many of the children who were first supported by the program have grown up. They have managed to get a good education as a result of the program. Their children will also benefit from the program. The program will go on to assist generations of children. The one million mark is just the beginning.
