TODEE DISTRICT, RURAL MONTSERRADO COUNTY, LIBERIA- The Ministry of Education-MOE, in collaboration with its development partners, has officially broken ground for the construction of the Dein Clan Public School Feeding Center in Todee, District #1, Montserrado County.
During the program, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah emphasized the critical importance of focusing on children’s nutrition as a fundamental building block for quality education.
According to her, the establishment of the new feeding center is more than just about providing daily meals; it is about creating sustainable opportunities for local communities.
Minister Jallah pointed out that the project would help generate employment for local mothers, providing them with income and empowering them to support their families.
She also highlighted the role of the center in fostering community development and a sense of ownership, which are essential for the long-term success and sustainability of the program.
“Imagine a child who leaves home early for school without breakfast. By mid-morning, concentration is gone. By lunchtime, learning has slowed to endurance. By afternoon, the school day feels longer than it should. Over time, that child begins to miss school more often, not because of lack of interest, but because the effort required to learn while hungry becomes too heavy”, Minister Jallah interjected.
Dr. Jallah said,” I, therefore, call on school administrators, parents, community leaders, and local authorities to take ownership of this facility. Protect it. Monitor its use. Ensure it serves the purpose for which it is being built”.
In a related development, UNICEF Representative to Liberia, Andrews Brooks, expressed admiration for the government’s commitment to addressing food security and improving child welfare in Liberia.
Speaking on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the official groundbreaking of the Dein Clan Public School Feeding Center in Todee, District #1, Montserrado County, Brooks highlighted Liberia’s progress in implementing policies that support vulnerable children and their families.
He noted that the country’s efforts reflect strong government leadership paired with strategic partnerships, especially through school feeding programs.
Brooks also congratulated Liberia on launching new food security surveys, which he said will provide vital data to guide future interventions.
He reaffirmed UNICEF’s continued support, emphasizing that together, they can build a future where every child thrives in a healthy learning environment.
Meanwhile, the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Liberia, Dr. Agbessi Amewoa, expressed pride in the strides made by the government and its partners in strengthening the country’s school feeding programs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dein Clan Public School Feeding Center, Dr. Amewoa underscored the critical role that nutrition plays in children’s educational success and overall development.
He noted that WFP is supporting more than seventy thousand children nationwide through school feeding initiatives, which improve attendance and concentration while also supporting local farmers through the homegrown model.
Dr. Amewoa emphasized that a well-nourished child is a better learner, adding that school feeding is an investment in Liberia’s future, building human capital and fostering national growth.
He praised Liberia’s leadership for prioritizing school feeding through increased budget allocations and a shift toward a sustainable, domestically led program, reaffirming WFP’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals and quality education.