Scottish charity to receive £1million funding boost to feed kids in Malawi
Mary's Meals will receive the money as part of an agreement between the governments in Scotland and Malawi.
More than £1million of funding is being granted to a Scottish charity which feeds children living in poverty in Malawi.
Mary's Meals will receive the public money as part of an agreement between the two countries' governments.
The announcement came as Scottish International Development Minister Ben Macpherson was welcomed to Mpangweni Primary School in Dowa by pupils.
He said: "I've just seen the remarkable difference Mary's Meals is making here in Malawi, feeding more than a million children thanks to contributions from across Scotland, including from the Scottish Government.
"It's been wonderful to see the difference that a nutritious daily meal in school, provided by Mary's Meals, is making towards helping young people in Malawi to get the best from their education and make the most of their potential.
"It's been a real privilege to see the work of Mary's Meals, supported by individuals and organisations across Scotland, making such a difference here in Malawi.''
Mr Macpherson met staff and the community volunteers who cook and serve likuni phala - vitamin-enriched maize and soya porridge - to hungry children.
For many it is their only food of the day.
The minister helped serve the dish, visited classrooms and watched lessons taking place, and talked to children, volunteers and staff to find out more about the long-term impact created by Mary's Meals.
He is in Malawi to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Mary's Meals is to receive £1,080,000 to provide food in 27 primary and 79 early childhood development centres in Zomba, southern Malawi.
A co-operation agreement between the governments of Scotland and Malawi was signed nearly 13 years ago.
The Scottish Government announced in August that it is to provide £11million to support local projects in Malawi focused on health, education, economic development and renewable energy.
Earlier this month, the charity said it is now reaching 1,361,586 impoverished children in 17 countries worldwide.
Daniel Adams, executive director of Mary's Meals UK, said: "It was wonderful to see the happy, smiling children as they arrived this morning, with their mugs in hand and ready for the day's learning.
"We're delighted that the minister was able to join us to witness the amazing changes that are being created in the lives of so many children across Malawi and beyond."