In 2017 we funded 500,000 school meals for children in Tajikistan.  Roughly half of the country’s children do not attend school and accordingly the WFP school meal programmes are of critical importance here.  We were able to visit some of the farmers where the food is grown and then immediately sold to the school districts.  It allows the parents to earn an income, and not rely on their children as workers.  This means more children attend school, where WFP provides free food, water, and education.  Our efforts are supporting approximately 20 schools.