WFP welcomes launching of magic scheme in schools

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed the launching of a new innovative Magic Scheme in WFP supported schools with a view to promoting its feeding programme and helping students to develop positive health behaviour.
The launching of the magic scheme has been made possible with the support extended by the Kazi Shakil Foundation (KSF). Through this scheme, WFP hopes to achieve better health and nutritional awarness among school children, said a press release.
Under the scheme the magic shows will showcase celebrity magician, Ulfat Kabir, who through his performance, will highlight and deliver messages on various issues on nutrition, hygiene, health, food security, common diseases, and promote positive healthy behaviour. The scheme will also showcase WFP’s micronutrient-enriched biscuits fortified with essential minerals and vitamins and used as an integral part of the agency’s school feeding programme.
While inaugurating the scheme Thursday at a WFP supported school in Khilkhet Kawuler Government Pri-mary School, Dhaka, WFP Bangladesh Representative John Aylief said, “We are truly grateful to the KSF for their support for our school feeding initiatives. This scheme will have an immense impact on building greater awareness among the people of Bangladesh regarding school feeding programmes and our efforts to wipe out child hunger and malnutrition from the country.”
After the great success of the scheme in the pilot phase in 2009, WFP entered into a partnership with KSF to implement the Magic scheme.
Ulfat Kabir, the celebrity magician and the director of the KSF, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the WFP on the new innovative scheme, which we have customised to specifically meet WFP’s mission and values.” The celebrity singer Mehreen, who was also present at the ceremony said, “Learning through entertainment is very important for children. I am sure school children will have fun, while at the same time learning valuable lessons on nutrition and health.”
In 2010, under the Magic Scheme over 30,000 students in 100 schools will be covered across the country where malnutrition is widespread among school age children. A high percentage of school children and adolescents, especially girls suffer from iron deficiency anemia and , which often results in poor cognitive performance.

Courtesy of The Financial Express