Lesotho learners get smaller meals after Trump’s US aid cuts
The Lesotho government has taken over the school feeding programme resulting in less food
Lesotho's school feeding program has been reduced in size and nutritional value following the United States' termination of its funding in May 2025. The program, known as Bokamoso Ba Bana, provided daily nutritious meals to over 36,000 children at more than 200 primary schools, funded by a $28.5 million (M511 million) budget over five years.
The budget this year is now more than M300 million, but portions to pupils have been reduced. The feeding contractors are currently receiving about M5.50 per child per day, while ministry studies suggest M8 per child per day would cover food, transportation, and cook payments. As a result, portions of maize meal have been reduced from 120g to 80g per child per day.
The quality and variety of food have also changed, with the previous corn soya blend breakfast product replaced by maize porridge, and lunch now consisting of pap and beans without leafy greens and eggs. The deterioration of the program has led to parents losing their jobs and relying on alternative income sources.
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