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Mengi joins WFP fight against child hunger
2005-11-01 07:38:14
By Guardian Reporter
The IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi will lead the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in its efforts to raise awareness on child hunger at corporate level through business forums and community events in Tanzania.
A statement from WFP says Mengi has agreed to take up the challenge.
’’We are extremely grateful to Reginald Mengi for graciously accepting the role of goodwill Mzee wa fight hunger here in Tanzania,’’ says the statement adding much work remained to be done across the globe if the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving world hunger by the year 2015 were to be achieved.
’’Private sector can help us make great inroads right here in Tanzania,’’ WFP Country Director, Patrick Buckley in quoted as saying in the statement.
As Mzee wa Fight Hunger, Mengi will be actively involved in WFP’s local fundraising events including the annual Walk the World, through active participation and mobilisation of the local business community, says the statement.
WFP annually organizes the Walk the World in scores of countries, covering each time zone across the globe, and the event has become the marquee fundraiser against child hunger, says the statement.
Money raised through the Walk goes directly to WFP’s School Feeding Programme in Tanzania.
’’For many poor families around the world, school is a luxury they cannot afford for all of their children.
Even if a hungry child is able to enroll in school, it is difficult to concentrate on lessons and regularly attend class on an empty stomach,’’ says the statement.
It adds that by providing meals to hungry students, WFP’s School Feeding Programme helps to boost both attendance and performance and contributes to each child’s future potential productivity and health.
’’Supporting WFP and their efforts to combat child hunger through maternal and child nutrition programmes and its school feeding programme are an excellent investment in Tanzania’s future in terms of not only a child’s prosperity and health, but also entire societies,’’ Mengi is quoted as saying in the statement.
’’Businesses have a duty to contribute and I look forward to working with the agency and helping making a difference not only for individuals, but also communities right in our backyard,’’ he said.
’’WFP Tanzania aims to host the largest Walk in East Africa, and we are privileged to have someone with the experience and know-how of Mengi on our team,’’ added Buckley. The walk will take place next May on 21st.
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