Sri Lanka has been in the midst of an unprecedented economic and food crisis for more than a year. Students attending government schools, particularly those from impoverished and vulnerable localities have been facing the brunt of this situation. In May 2022 we heard how school attendance was continuing to fall – and this time due to hunger. This is when I reached out to Avaaya Research and invited them to design a private, donor-funded plan to give a wholesome meal and a cup of milk to children in poverty-stricken rural and urban areas.

I am delighted that Avaaya Research swiftly rose to the occasion and developed the ‘Rise Up School Meal’ program. Today it has reached over 80 schools in 15 districts and supports more than 12,000 needy children. All the children in these schools receive a nutritious midday meal on every school day, five days a week, as well as a cup of freshly sourced milk three days a week.

I hope the Rise Up Meals program would go from strength to strength, and gather the required support to reach more schools, and serve more children in the coming year.

Co-Founder and Advisor of Rise Up School Meal Program