Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow never imagined that a simple idea born in Argyll would grow to feed more than 3 million schoolchildren around the world.
But that’s the reality today for Mary’s Meals, the global movement he founded in 2003 to serve daily meals in schools in some of the world’s poorest communities.
The milestone, MacFarlane-Barrow says, is a moment of hope in an often dark world.
“In the unfolding of Mary’s Meals, we see many reminders of the goodness of people,” he said.
“Those 3 million children ate at school today only because so many people are choosing to share some of what they have to make this possible.”
Mary’s Meals began with a few hundred children in Malawi.
Today, the charity operates in 16 countries, with volunteers and supporters playing a vital role in keeping costs low, just £19.15 feeds a child for an entire school year.
Among the millions of lives changed is Lettie, a 12-year-old orphan who was the sole carer of her two younger brothers when MacFarlane-Barrow first met her in 2012.
“Mary’s Meals made it possible for Lettie to go to school for the first time,” he said.
She went on to complete high school and now works for Mary’s Meals in Malawi, helping others just as she was once helped.
“In her story alone, never mind the millions of similar stories, we see how this simple serving of a daily meal is creating profound and lasting change,” he said.
While the team celebrates reaching the 3 million mark, MacFarlane-Barrow stresses there is still urgent work to do.
“We are painfully aware that there are millions more waiting, many of them suffering just as Lettie was.”
He ends with a heartfelt invitation to those not yet involved: help feed even one more child.
With Mary’s Meals’ low-cost model, every 10p can make a difference and a year’s worth of meals for a child costs less than £20.
To support or donate, visit marysmeals.org.uk
