BREAKFAST has been touted as the most important meal of the day. Most of us have come along hearing of the importance of that first meal which is intended to break the fast after hours of rest. That is why it continues to be a concern that many students are going to school hungry.
Without that first meal, it is difficult for young minds to focus and process what they are being taught during the day. We therefore underscore and highlight the importance of the work of the Young Women’s Christian Association’s (YWCA) Breakfast Club programme which is now feeding more than 1 300 students every day.
Meals are not only served at the YWCA’s Deacons Farm headquarters, but also at some primary and secondary schools. In addition, seven satellite clubs have been set up in St Andrew, St George, Christ Church and St Michael to distribute the meals.
The identities of the children are never disclosed and the sole objective is ensuring that the students do not start their day with empty stomachs. Their socio-economic status is also irrelevant and the only criterion is that the children are attending school.
We shudder to think of what would happen were this safety net not in place and to the numbers that would be going through the day hungry at school, unable to focus and learn in the classroom.
The feeding programme is now in its ninth year, having started in January 2007 with just about 30 children being fed. Over the years, it has filled a real need.
Some members of corporate Barbados are on board with the initiative, but there is clearly a need for more people to join the effort. Individuals, too, must play their part in this worthy cause. There can never be too many hands on this deck.
This is a costly venture tagged at about $5 a day to provide a child a healthy breakfast. The feeding programme relies on the goodwill of those in society who pull their pockets and give, either food supplies or money towards the cause.
The reality is that if there is not enough funding and sponsorship, the feeding programme will no doubt have to cap the numbers of those it feeds. This would be unfortunate for the youngsters who would be the ones most affected.
In these tough times, it is important that we all look out for each other, especially the vulnerable and those in need. Our young people are not exempt and in fact, must be our priority. We all need to play our part to secure the health and future of our youth.