Through understanding that hunger is not just a personal issue but one that involves everyone, Buckswood students decided to roll up their sleeves and assist in preparing meals and help feed pupils at Ndzangu Primary school.
This was done by the students from Buckswood, UK, as part of their school project.
They arrived in the country last week.
While working with the staff and volunteers, they were given a window into the daily struggles that some schools face in maintaining food supplies, which remains a challenge that affects learning and well-being of the pupils.
The students started by distributing food at the project school. Principal Giles Sutton said it was important for their students to roll up their sleeves and understand that the world does not function the same way everywhere.
He said being in the country and working side by side with local staff helped their young people appreciate the challenges others face, especially in issues like food security. “Food is not just nourishment. It is dignity, education, and hope. Without it, none of those things are possible,” sutton said. He added that as the students helped prepare and serve meals, they were confronted with the daily realities that some schools face in maintaining food stocks, an issue that impacts both learning and wellbeing.
Buckswood students Yaelle from Switzerland, Ilan from Mexico, and Samira from Chile were among those helping to serve food, and they had a chance to connect with the children and also share in their routines. Ilan said it was one thing to hear about food insecurity in class, but it was completely different to see it up close.
He said it makes one want to do something, rather than just feel sorry.
“After today, I do not think I will ever complain about school food again.
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I have realised just how lucky we are to have meals everyday and how easily we take that for granted,” said another student. After sharing lunch, the students and pupils had a moment full of laughter, joy, and meaningful conversation. They students also took part in a traditional Eswatini dance session where the air was filled with rhythm and excitement as the students from Buckswood learned the steps and spirit of one of the country’s most treasured cultural expressions.
“Cultural exchange is a cornerstone of what we believe in at Buckswood.
These moments allow students to broaden their understanding, respect other ways of life, and build bonds that transcend borders,” he said.
Moved by the experience, the Buckswood team pledged to donate further supplies later in the week to help replenish the kitchen essentials, ensuring the school could continue to provide meals for the children.
The visit also sparked deeper conversations among the students and staff about the role of food aid in today’s increasingly complex world, with global inequality, conflict, and climate change all contributing to food shortages.
The Buckswood group recognised the importance of sustainable, community-led solutions and the need for continued international awareness and support.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
