Third round distribution of food items in Lilongwe. Below are members of the management committees who are involved in supervising the caregivers and flour portions for daily feeding of the children at their centers.

Children playing with toys at Traditional Kabudula in Lilongwe. This is one of the skills the caregivers learnt from their training, to make handmade toys.

These are some of the traditional dances by the children with their caregiver guiding them how to perform the dances at Traditional Authority Chitukula in Lilongwe.

A winning team during the tournament which JCT had and it is from Traditional Authority Mtema at Mzumazi center. This initiative is bringing an excitement to the youth within the JCT family. They are growing up under the supervision of JCT.

It is imperative that we are able to support more sporting activities with equipment donations, so that the children are have enjoyment and remain physically healthy.

A caregiver volunteer playing touch with children in Mangochi.

Children playing while they wait for their meal after morning classes in Nsanje.

March – August

Highlighted below are key program activities conducted, achievements registered, challenges, recommendations and future plans.

Major activities that have been implemented in the reporting period include the following:  Bring a child to school campaign, early childhood and primary education, school feeding and training of caregivers.

Key program outputs

• Improved access to early childhood education for orphans and vulnerable children
• Improved nutrition amongst children attending early childhood education
• Improved capacity and collaboration between Caregivers, Village Development Committees (VDCs), Parents and Teachers’ Association (PTA), as well as Mother Groups

Implementation areas

In this reporting period, JCT has implemented interventions in the following areas:

• Namkumba in Mangochi district
• Chitukula, Kabudula and M’bang’ombe in Lilongwe district
• Pengani in Nsanje district

Program partners/stakeholders

The table below illustrates key program partners/stakeholders and further depicts their roles and responsibilities.

Implementing partner/Stakeholder	Role
Village Development Committee (VDC)	Facilitate formulation of Community Early Childhood committees
Parents and Teachers Association (PTA)	Planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating education standards at the local institutional level
Mother group	Looking at the welfare of the children and providing mentorship to the learners
Traditional leaders (Chiefs	Spearheading and facilitating formulation of by-laws aimed at forcing children to go to school
Community members	Help in fetching firewood for use in feeding programs Encouraging children to register in early childhood learning
District Social Welfare department	Build the capacity of caregivers Certifying community based care centers (CBCC)s

Summary of programs/activities implemented during March – August

School feeding program

JCT sustained school feeding program in this reporting quarter. 360 bags of flour were distributed to Community Based Care Centers (CBCCSs) in Lilongwe and Mangochi districts. This flour was used to prepare porridge for learners in selected primary and nursery schools, as a way of improving their nutrition/health standards and motivate them to attend and enrol in school.

Last distribution done to round up the quarter and the program has been successful. The food was distributed to the various centers of Lilongwe.  Although it was a continuation program from the month of January to March, Lilongwe benefited from the food procured by JCT, with funding from JCTUK.

As on-going program on feeding, most of the children registered under the foundation are HIV positive from mother to child.  Feeding programs have improved health status since the porridge is rich in notoriousness, such that their immune system has been boosted and during this month the percentage of food average is very low.

JCT foundation under feeding program has managed to reach 5000 children – the feeding program has improved the health status of children tremendously, despite the flood challenges.

Members of the management committee in Lilongwe, upon receiving food stuffs for distribution to caregivers in various schools in support of school feeding program

Caregivers preparing porridge for the school feeding program in Lilongwe. Caregivers prepare meals in open spaces which become a challenge specifically during rainy seasons and windy periods

Children are enjoying their porridge in T/A Kabudula in Lilongwe