Start a meaningful tradition to give back

This holiday season, when the family gathers for a celebratory meal, consider starting a new tradition by supporting Children Believe, a charity that helps children around the world overcome barriers to education – like hunger and malnutrition – and become leaders in their communities.

“There’s a lot of nostalgia around this time of year when families focus on their traditions. This year, we’d like to encourage people to start a new tradition and support an initiative that is impactful and that they can feel good about while enjoying all the positives that come with the holiday season,” says Brett Tarver, director, strategic communications, Children Believe.

This GivingTuesday, the charity aims to raise $100,000 to fund 1,209 kids for a year with 212,766 school meals through its #DisruptHunger campaign. An Impact Calculator on the website childrenbelieve.ca/DisruptHunger shows donors how many meals their gift will buy. A $20 gift provides 42 school meals, while donations of $2,500 can feed an entire classroom of 30 kids for a school year.

“When you think about disruption, it’s about change, and we suggest there’s an opportunity to disrupt things for the better and add a meaningful tradition of giving back to families’ seasonal calendars,” says Mr. Tarver.

The Ontario-based charity sees first-hand the effects of hunger. Malnourishment is chronic in places like Burkina Faso where Children Believe provides school meals to more than 3,100 children every year, says Mr. Tarver.

“Children fall asleep at their desks, because their energy levels are so low, they’re listless, they can’t help with chores at home. All they’re thinking about is their hunger,” he says.

Belinda Bennet, Children Believe’s chief international programs officer, points out hunger and malnourishment are major barriers to education.

“In Burkina Faso, 45 per cent of the population is under 15 years of age and 32.9 per cent of children under five have stunted growth – that’s why school meals are so important,” says Dr. Bennet.

Data shows 630,000 children are acutely malnourished and 135,000 children are classified as severely malnourished in Burkina Faso, she adds.

For Dr. Bennet, whose own parents said their greatest gift to her was education, overseeing and giving direction to Children Believe’s programs has a special meaning.

“I feel very deeply that education is a tool for liberation for children; it provides them with choices,” she says, adding if children are not able to complete school, chances are they will fall into exploitative situations and the intergenerational cycle of poverty will not be broken.

Along with tackling hunger, the charity also focuses on a range of interconnected issues such as gender equality, emphasizing food for girls is as important as food for boys.

It’s a challenge for families around the world. In Paraguay, Nahuel, 10, had big dreams, but sadly, his parents, like so many others in his community, couldn’t afford a proper meal for a growing child. Thankfully he was one of 250 local children to receive school meals through Children Believe.

“Good food helps me to learn and get closer to my dreams. I want to be a soccer player so I can unite people, inspire others and bring joy to those who watch me play,” he says.

When school meals are served, there is joy and laughter, says Dr. Bennet.

“This is one of the sights I most enjoy; the children often say thank you; they can feel the love from Canada; and I say thank you to all donors and share my appreciation for the generosity and kindness of Canadians,” says Dr. Bennet.

Learn more: childrenbelieve.ca/DisruptHunger

Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.