Healthy school dinners get ethical twist

Schoolchildren in East Ayrshire, Scotland, are piloting a new scheme that encourages healthy eating whilst helping children from the developing world.

For the next six months, children at schools in the local authority will be given one point each time they choose a healthy school dinner.

Reward points can then be spent on overseas development initiatives, including buying much needed farm animals, food supplies, medicine and classroom equipment for people in developing countries.

One hundred and forty points will feed a starving child for a week, 280 points will pay for a new school desk, 780 points will buy a bicycle for a mobile doctor, and 3,200 points will purchase a yak.

The project is expected to raise a total of £3,250 to be spent on Save the Children gifts.

To reach this amount, 650,000 school dinners will have be eaten by pupils at the 44 primary schools and nine secondaries taking part in the initiative.

When the money has been raised, pupils will be able to vote on how it is spent, choosing items from Save the Children’s online donations catalogue.

Councillor Robin Gourlay, who thought up the scheme, said even if it just makes a small difference, it will have been worthwhile.

If the pilot proves successful, Save the Children hopes to launch similar schemes in conjunction with local authorities across the UK.