The US and Mozambique launch "Nourish to Learn": 75 Million School Meals for 170,000 Children in Maputo

A six-year project, funded by the USDA with $40 million, will be implemented by Save the Children in 245 primary schools in Maputo Province.

The United States Government and the Government of Mozambique officially launched the “Nourish to Learn” project this Tuesday at the Cuanine Primary School in the Manhiça District. The six-year initiative (October 2025 to September 2031) aims to serve 75 million school meals in 245 primary schools in Maputo Province, benefiting more than 80,000 children annually — approximately 170,000 throughout its implementation.

Funded with $40 million by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the project will be implemented by Save the Children, in close coordination with the National School Feeding Program (PRONAE) and provincial and district services. The objective is clear: to increase enrollment, improve attendance, and raise learning outcomes for students in public schools in the districts of Magude, Manhiça, Moamba, and Matutuíne.

The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 19 between the Ministry of Education and Culture and Save the Children International in Mozambique, with funding from the USDA.

At the opening ceremony, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, Abigail L. Dressel, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Today’s launch demonstrates something important about the relationship between the United States and Mozambique: together, we are investing in the country’s future, and together, we are making both our countries stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”

Representing the Mozambican government, the Governor of Maputo Province, Manuel Simão Tule, highlighted the need for sustainability and local ownership: “The sustainability of this initiative will depend on our ability to work together, to monitor the results achieved, and to ensure that the resources made available are used responsibly, transparently, and with a sense of mission. We want to encourage schools and communities to seize this opportunity to strengthen food production initiatives. This integrated vision should guide our efforts.”

The event was also attended by USDA Minister-Counselor Oliver Flake; Save the Children Director Ilaria Manunza; as well as development partners, civil society organizations, community leaders, teachers, students, and members of the school community.

To ensure a lasting impact, a significant number of teachers, school principals, members of School Councils and district staff will receive training in food safety, nutritional education and digital attendance monitoring. The Government of Mozambique has also committed to prioritizing the schools covered by the project in the expansion of PRONAE, contributing to the progressive and sustainable integration of these interventions into the national program.

The implementation will be overseen through a rigorous data model, shared with the School Food Technical Council (CTAE), ensuring transparency and institutional accountability. In total, more than 9,800 metric tons of food products from American farms will be distributed, complemented by the local and regional procurement of 2,390 metric tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, fortified corn flour, and cowpeas.

With this initiative, the two governments reaffirm their commitment to investing in nutrition and education as pillars of development, ensuring that more Mozambican children have access to nutritious school meals and better learning conditions.