First Quantum Minerals is spending US$45,000 a month on providing nutritious meal supplements every school day for 6,000 children in North-Western Province.

Through its Kansanshi Foundation, the company is supporting 26 primary schools, of which 22 are on its nutrition programme, which provides every child with a daily high-energy protein porridge for breakfast.

FQM is investing in supplementary meals and school-based nutrition education as a known and tried intervention alongside education objectives.

FQM consultant nutritionist Sally Bell-Cross says so far, school attendance in rural schools taking part in the nutrition programme has improved from an average of 64 percent to 87 percent, and school performance has improved by approximately 15 percent.

Ms Bell-Cross says the programme has proved so successful that the foundation this month added of delivery of 400 litres of fresh milk to four schools, besides the vitamin and mineral enriched meal supplement.

“Under-nutrition has a long-term negative impact on the physical, social and the mental wellbeing and development of a child,” explained Ms Bell-Cross.

She emphasizes that the programme is in line with United Nations Development Goals 2,3 and 4, which seek to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

She further noted that although, First Quantum has made healthcare a priority in all the communities where it operates, the challenge – especially in less prosperous regions – is where to draw the line between problems that the company must help address, and those that remain within the mandate of the public healthcare system.

The mining company has also targeted 5,000 farmers under its conservation farming programme providing with inputs for crops that will ultimately sustain the school feeding programme.

FQM believes that true economic growth of a country is reflected in the state of health, education, agriculture and quality of life that its citizens live.

And the company remains committed to ending poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind in the communities where it operates.