The staff of Seibo in Malawi is expanding meal support while exchanging information with other organizations providing meal support locally, and expanding meal support for the entire region. Below, I will describe the coordination efforts, the meeting held in April 2023, points of reflection from that meeting, and future activities based on them.

Attendance at District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) Meetings
On April 17, staff in the southern region of Seibo visited Mzimba in the north for DNCC meetings and data audits to organize meal data. The District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) is a committee established to review and scrutinize all NGOs attempting activities in the district focusing on nutrition and health through themed discussions and recommend them to the District Executive Committee (DEC), an upper-level council, for final approval to operate in the district.

The DNCC meeting was held on April 19 at Tovilane Hall in northern Mzimba. Seibo explained its goals, the spread of school meal provision, progress, and challenges faced. DNCC members questioned criteria for Seibo’s meal support expansion plans and identifying current schools. After answering questions, DNCC approved Seibo’s proposal to present programs to the higher council called DNCC.

District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting
The DEC meeting took place on April 20 at Tovilane Hall in Mzimba. Fifty-six DEC members representing various government departments dealing with education, nutrition, community development, district planning, health, and social welfare attended.
DEC consists of representatives from various NGOs and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). DEC, chaired directly by District Commissioners in each district, serves as the highest council delegated to regulate activities and allocate target locations to all NGOs in the district.

At the DEC meeting, Seibo presented its goals, school reports, progress, and challenges faced, appealing for support from each department and NGO partners.

Confirmation and Data Collection of Seibo’s Meal Support Sites
Seibo staff in the south visited all 12 schools in Mzimba, confirming the status of meal records submitted by school meal officers and the data management status of schools in recording daily meals, attendance, and enrollment. As a result, it was revealed that schools like Kazengo had days without meal distribution due to stove damage requiring replacement, insufficient pots, shortage of firewood, and insufficient funds to pay cooks.

The team held meetings with leaders of each school, providing guidance on challenges faced and solutions to be implemented. As a result, plans were made to purchase additional stoves and pots to deliver to relevant schools.

In this way, regular reporting to higher authorities and auditing of each meal-providing school are being conducted.
We will continue our activities to make the most of your support!