Mary's Meals restores hope
by Sr. Medhin Tesfay
Mary’s Meals is an initiative that holds a deep meaning for me. My hope is strengthened each time I reflect on the school feeding programme we are currently running, particularly when I consider the painful realities that confront so many children today. In the midst of conflict, hunger, instability, and the quiet suffering that often goes unnoticed, Mary’s Meals stands as a steady source of compassion and love in action for the poorest children in our community and millions like them around the world.
In our community, the meal children receive at school is often the only thing they will eat that day. The significance of this simple reality is immense. One plate of food can determine whether a child attends school or is pushed into looking for work. For young girls, it offers relief from gruelling domestic responsibilities and creates opportunities that help protect them from early marriage. It determines whether a child spends the day awake and able to learn, or exhausted and distracted by hunger. It gives them the comfort of eating alongside other children who share similar struggles, letting them know they are not alone in their hardship. They also get to enjoy simple, innocent moments of joy and contentment amongst themselves, unburdened by the daily struggles to live.
Today, these meals reach 273,000 children across 522 schools in the poorest communities of our region. Each child is becoming an epicentre of change within their family. With education and improved health, they gain the tools to uplift their households and contribute positively to their communities. In this way, Mary’s Meals is not only addressing an urgent need in the present; it is planting seeds for a future in which poverty slowly loses its grip on an entire generation.
As a Daughter of Charity, I recognise in Mary’s Meals the values that have shaped my vocation. Simplicity, Humility, and Charity. Service that speaks through action rather than words. St. Vincent taught us that serving the poor is serving Christ himself, viewing the poor as "Masters": this work makes that teaching visible and concrete every single day. It reminds me that transformation often begins with small but consistent acts of love. It reassures me that goodness is still growing in the world – even in difficult times – and that when we offer what we have with compassion, God multiplies it in ways far beyond our understanding.
Being part of this mission and working alongside people who live the core teachings of the Catholic Church is one of the greatest blessings of my life. It is a privilege to witness the miracle of kindness flowing from people all around the world to children who need it most. On my behalf, on behalf of our dedicated team, and on behalf of the many thousands of children we serve, I offer our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supports this life-changing work.
Sr. Medhin Tesfay is Director of Social and Development Programmes for Daughters of Charity (DoC) Tigray, in Ethiopia. Daughters of Charity is Mary’s Meals' partner in Ethiopia and Sr. Medhin leads the team that works alongside communities to provide vital daily meals to schoolchildren across the Tigray region. Sister Medhin is the recipient of the 2023 Romero International Award.