A Harare based youth organisation Simuka Africa Youth Association has set a target of feeding more than 2000 families through an initiative named Skip a Meal campaign which was launched at the end of last month.
In an interview with 263Chat the association spokesperson Ezekiel Mudimu said the reason behind coming with the initiative of skipping a meal campaign was born after the realisation that many people were facing serious food shortages especially the vulnerable.
“The campaign is in response to the current chronic hunger as a result of two years of droughts followed by this year’s floods that destroyed crops, human lives and infrastructure. Children and young women have been identified as the most vulnerable population group,” said Mudimu.
He said his organisation was worried with the developing trends that has seen some families marrying off minors as part of averting the food crisis, a development he described as worrying.
“A sad thing is that we have now seen families marrying off minors and the most affected are girls, this is done as part of averting the crisis that some families are finding themselves and also we have seen children dropping off from schools,” he said.
The youth organisation has engaged t Jackie Ngarande and Mudiwa Mutandwa popularly known as Mudiwa in the musical circles as the goodwill ambassadors of the organisation.
The duo started the ball rolling last week as they donated food stuffs to five families in Norton. Mudimu appealed to the nation to help the needy families through donations of food and be part of the Skip a Meal Campaign.
“This is not a once off initiative but it’s a long term campaign hence we are appealing to all members of the society to be part of the campaign and help the needy and vulnerable members of the society who are unable and cannot afford a decent a meal a day to donate and play a pivotal role in reducing the social problems emanating from the shortage of food. I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who skipped their meals so that vulnerable children can have decent meals,” said the spokesperson
