Teaching Guide

A message from Magnus

Thank you so much for choosing to go on this journey with your young people. I hope that, through learning about Mary’s Meals, you will all come to understand a little more about what life can be like for children in some of the world’s poorest communities. I hope that you will also be moved and inspired by the certainty that even small acts of love and kindness can have a huge impact on the lives of others.

Magnus Macfarlane Barrow outside his shed in Dalmally

We first began this work in response to the words of a child – Edward, whose dream in life was “to have enough food to eat and to be able to go to school one day.” From this came our vision: that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.

Our desire to work together with like-minded people to realise this vision burns ever brighter and, with 67 million children still out of school because of poverty, our work is just beginning. Learning more about our world and the needs of the people in it is so important – and at Mary’s Meals we’re learning all the time, often from the most unexpected places! Thank you for helping to bring more hearts and minds to this important mission to provide daily meals in a place of education for the world’s poorest children. Whether this is the first time you’ve heard of Mary’s Meals or you’ve been a dedicated supporter for a long time, I am so glad that you are part of this global family and part of this amazing story.

Thank you,

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow

Founder of Mary’s Meals

Programme overview

During this programme, through stories and short films, you will be transported to different countries and see different ways of life. You will hear from children who lead very difficult lives, but you will also see how their lives are being improved through community action, that is resulting in the provision of a daily meal served in their place of education.

Learning goals and objectives of the programme

To understand what Mary’s Meals is, and the work it does with communities to serve children living in some of the world’s poorest places.
To understand some of the reasons why these children could not attend school if it wasn’t for the provision of a meal, and the impact Mary’s Meals has on school attendance.
To see how Mary’s Meals encourages and enables girls in some of the world’s poorest communities to overcome and remove obstacles that might prevent them from coming to school and receiving an education.
To understand how Mary’s Meals tries to support the local economies in the areas where it works and takes steps to help rural farmers in these regions.
To highlight how the work of Mary’s Meals is increasing community involvement in schools and helping to reinforce parents’ belief in the power of education.
To inspire action that will help to alleviate suffering among children and families in some of the world’s poorest communities and help them to work towards a brighter future.

Certificates of competion

Don’t forget to issue certificates to the young people who complete the programme!

Little Acts, Big Difference certificate of completion

Download Certificate

Lessons

Session One

Students will watch and discuss the half-hour film Child 31 – The Story of Mary’s Meals. In this video they will meet Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, CEO and founder of Mary’s Meals, and hear how the charity started.

Session Two

The accompanying resource contains short excerpts from the bestselling book The Shed That Fed A Million Children, written by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow (founder of Mary’s Meals). The stories will help you learn a little more about Malawi and some of the people who inspired the work of Mary’s Meals.

Session Three

Filmed on location in Malawi, Haiti, and India, this uplifting film introduces us to members of what we call ‘Generation Hope’ – children and young people whose prospects are brighter because of support from Mary’s Meals. You will not only meet children who are currently receiving daily meals while they learn, but also young people who, having received Mary’s Meals at school, have gone on to further education or paid employment because the school feeding programme has helped them to realise their potential.

Session Four

Through another short excerpt from Magnus’ bestselling book, The Shed That Fed A Million Children, your students will get some insight into the humble beginnings of the Mary’s Meals school feeding programme.

Session Five

After presenting Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow with a CNN Heroes award, actor Gerard Butler began to support Mary’s Meals. He travelled to Liberia and Haiti to see first-hand how Mary’s Meals is fighting poverty and helping to transform entire communities by engaging volunteers to provide children with daily meals in their place of education.

Lette in Malawi shares her story of hope

Session Six

As the programme draws to a close, we hope the young people feel inspired by the simple truth that food changes the story for the world’s poorest communities and the knowledge that their actions can have a big impact. Participants could now brainstorm ideas of how they, their school or their local community can help support the work of Mary’s Meals and make a difference to childrens lives.

Make yourself at home!