Actor Gerard Butler took on a new role during a recent trip to Haiti where he met children receiving Mary’s Meals.

When the Hollywood star was invited to direct a school Nativity play, he was delighted to lend a helping hand. He rolled up his sleeves and got fully involved in all aspects of the production, from making costumes to sharing acting tips with the young performers.

Gerard was surprised at what the children were able to create from such limited resources. He said: “You get there and there are no costumes, no nothing, so we were really starting from scratch. They surprise you with their ingenuity and how they make the most of what little they have … and suddenly you’re like, ‘This looks like a proper play!’ It was way more than charming, it was incredible.”

The actor was in Haiti with our founder, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, to see how our daily school meals are helping children from some of the world’s poorest communities to learn and thrive.  

Watch this amazing video to see behind the scenes as pupils from École Communautaire Saint Michel de Morne Mouton in Mirebalais prepare to take to the stage for their big performance.  

This festive season, you can help more children to shine with Mary’s Meals by joining our Big Family Christmas.