ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — The China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) on Friday marked the 10th anniversary of its “Smiling Children Program” in Ethiopia, which provides daily meals to underprivileged students across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, Yin Qian, director of the CFRD Ethiopia Office, said the school feeding program has improved the well-being, learning outcomes, and prospects of Ethiopian children.
“Since the launch in 2015, the Smiling Children Program has provided daily nutritious meals to tens of thousands of students across different regions of Ethiopia. These meals have not only nourished children’s bodies, but also brought smiles, motivation, and hope to classrooms,” Yin said.
She added that the CFRD will continue to strengthen partnerships, expand the program’s reach, and explore innovative ways to make schools hubs of nutrition, learning, and self-sustained growth.
Zerihun Gelsimo, head of the monitoring, evaluation, and inspection desk at Ethiopia’s Authority for Civil Society Organizations, praised CFRD’s efforts, saying the program has significantly improved children’s attendance, learning performance, and community well-being.
“The smiling children program is not only feeding students — it is nourishing hope and opportunity. CFRD’s approach stands as a model for other NGOs, demonstrating how effective partnership, transparency, and innovation can transform lives,” Gelsimo added.
Sun Mingxi, charge d’affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the program has provided nutritious meals to more than 100,000 students since 2015, contributing to hunger reduction and community stability in different parts of the country.
“CFRD’s school feeding program has been achieved in compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, zero hunger, good health and quality education,” Sun noted.
The event also highlighted CFRD’s decade-long commitment to meeting the nutritional needs of students in primary schools across Addis Ababa, Oromia, Amhara, Afar, Somali, Tigray, and Gambella regions.
