Ridel lives with his sister and her three young daughters in Imacita. Before the feeding programme began, he often went hungry, sometimes eating only three meals in an entire week, many of which only include potatoes or rice. The lack of regular food left him tired, distracted, and struggling to keep up at school. To help his family, Ridel would spend his afternoons unloading trucks and boats, earning what little he could to buy food for them all.

Now, thanks to the daily school meals provided through the school feeding programme in Peru, Ridel no longer worries about going hungry. He enjoys a large, nutritious meal every day at school, giving him the energy and focus he needs to learn and play. His teacher, knowing the challenges his family faces, often sends him home with leftover food to share with his sister and nieces, ensuring that the programme’s impact reaches the whole household.