*COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS Vs FOOD SUPPLIER

A meeting was convened at Mukuni Chief Palace in Kazungula District to address concerns regarding the non-delivery of food supplies to a local school. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Wena Nina, a food supplier contracted by the District Education Board, community champions, school representatives, under Mukuni Chiefdom.

Prior to the meeting, community champions had conducted a stakeholder engagement with the school, which revealed a decline in academic performance during the previous year. The school administration attributed this decline to food shortages, which had resulted in some pupils absenting themselves from classes or leaving early due to hunger.

During the meeting, the community champions emphasized the adverse impact of food shortages on the school. The food supplier attributed the delay in food delivery to the drought crisis experienced in 2024. Although the school had received 43 bags of maize and 20 liters of cooking oil for the 2025 term, the community champions requested that the outstanding food supplies for 2024 be delivered.

The meeting concluded with a mutually agreed-upon plan. The supplier committed to delivering maize to the school as soon as possible. Furthermore, the participants agreed to request a meeting with the District Education Board to discuss the matter further and ensure a sustainable solution to the food supply challenges.