A social safety net for Ethiopia’s most vulnerable families

In Tigray, Ethiopia, the scars of war are not only visible on the region’s rugged landscapes, but also on its survivors. Kidan, a mother of three children, was widowed during the conflict that broke out in 2020, which also meant the family lost their main provider. 

Since her husband’s death, Kidan has faced an uphill battle. Without a home of her own, she and her children live with her mother-in-law, trying to rebuild their lives while overcoming the physical and psychological burden of poverty and hunger. 

“After my husband died, I struggled to provide for my children. We had days when there was no food at home,” she says. “For a mother like me, the situation was desperate. We were forced to send my older daughter to work or sell items just to get money for food. But our economic situation remains fragile and the struggle is constant.” 

Kidan’s three children attend the local primary school where they receive a reliable daily meal every school day. This reduces the financial pressure on Kidan and allows her meagre earnings to stretch that little bit further. 

“By guaranteeing a meal every day for [my children], the program protects me from the fear of rising grain prices and the uncertainty of my modest income,” she says. “I can now save what would have been their breakfast and serve it for lunch or dinner." 

Kidan’s story is a testament to how school feeding acts as a safety net for vulnerable families, allowing a single mother to rebuild her livelihood while helping to ensure her children are healthy, happy, and educated