Final: From January of 2002 through May of 2003, over 300,000 students in 2,400 schools and preschool kindergartens received more than 105 million meals. The amount of local funds and in-kind contributions generated by the program has been estimated at $4,109,027. Schools have repaired their buildings as well as their kitchens and cooking facilities, and there have been drives to collect cooking utensils. Although Moldova’s cultural emphasis on education traditionally keeps school enrollment high, monitors continue to report that the students have expressed a much greater appreciation of school in general since the meal service began, and the increased enrollment in kindergarten found in the interim report has been sustained. Anecdotally, teachers report seeing continued improvements in attention and energy levels, which has equated to better overall academic performance. The program was given an extension, and completed its operations in May of 2003.

Each school participating in GFE hired 4-5 cooks, whose salaries were paid by communities or local authorities. About 6,000 cooks found gainful employment because of the availability of work with school feeding. In addition, the Franzaluta Pasta factory initiated and has maintained 67 new jobs as a result of its participation in the GFE program.

Midterm: In five months, 23 million hot meals were provided to 266,000 students. The program has generated an estimated $771,196 in local in-kind contributions. School enrollment was already at a high level in Moldova, and the data collected does not indicate an increase. However, students report that they enjoy school more since the meals began, and enrollment at the kindergarten level has increased since the start of the program. Teachers report that the attention and energy levels of the children have improved. The pasta factory contracted under the Global Food for Education Program (GFE) has added 67 full-time employees as a result of the business the GFE program has brought to the company. The program is scheduled to continue through December 2003.

One of Europe’s poorest nations, with more than 75% of the population living below the poverty line, Moldova ranks 98^th on the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Human Development Index. Agricultural output is continuously and substantially declining in the last 10 years, the same as consumption of food per capita.

Formerly ruled by Romania, Moldova became part of the Soviet Union at the close of World War II, and has been independent since 1991. The economy has experienced a contraction of 60% since independence, from which it is only now beginning to merge, and Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River, supporting the Slavic majority population—mostly Ukrainians and Russians who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. This region is the country’s most heavily industrialized region. Economic conditions and poverty are now much worse in this enclave than in the rest of the country. With this area in dispute after a civil war, it is difficult for Moldova to realize its potential as a market-oriented economy. Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.

With a favorable climate and good farmland, 40% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from agriculture, including fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova’s best-known product comes from its extensive and well-developed vineyards, which are concentrated in the central and southern regions. In addition to world-class wine, Moldova produces liqueurs and champagne and is known for its sunflower seeds, plums, peaches, apples, and other fruits.

Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Any breakdown in trade has a serious effect, exacerbated at times by drought and civil conflict. After the Russian ruble devaluation of 1998, Moldova’s economy underwent a prolonged recession from which it is only now beginning to emerge. There was an 8.6-percent drop in GDP. In 1999, GDP fell by 4.4%; the fifth drop in the past seven years. Exports were down, and energy supplies continued to be erratic. GDP declined slightly in 2000, with a serious drought hurting agriculture. Census data from 1999 reported that 75% of the Moldovan population lives below the poverty line.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) statistics indicate that 10% of children in Moldova suffer from moderate to severe stunting caused by malnutrition. The literacy rate is 96%. Prior to 1991, all Moldovan schools provided children with a daily snack, and many offered a midday meal. Since independence, the school feeding programs have drastically reduced because of lack of funding. The lack of a school lunch is felt mostly in rural schools where poverty is most severe.

The school buildings and physical infrastructure for education are in severe disrepair. Heating systems are inadequate, and roofs and windows need repair. As a result, the absentee rate in winter months is high. Water and septic systems at schools are often inadequate. Teaching equipment is worn and inadequate, and parents must often buy the books. In addition to being the leading cause for hunger among the students, poverty exacerbates the educational problems. Education is highly valued in Moldova, and attendance is generally good except in winter months when the physical adversities are especially challenging.

Moldova has 790,000 students at all levels of education, of which 335,000 are enrolled in primary education. Another 135,000-150,000 children are in preschools and kindergartens.

The International Partnership for Human Development (IPHD) designed a GFE project to mitigate hunger-based hindrances to classroom learning. The agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and IPHD was signed in July 2001.

Final: During November and December of 2002, there was some confusion with the validity dates on the commodities, because the government of Moldova interpreted the validity dates to be the expiration dates. The misunderstanding was clarified, and IPHD was able to extend the validity dates on the commodities that they had in storage. As a result they were able to prolong their participation in GFE until May of 2003, when they completed distribution of the commodities.

As of the beginning of April, there were 18.4 metric tons remaining of the original 28,400 tons that IPHD received. Of those 18.4 metric tons, 14.4 metric tons were distributed to schools. The remaining four metric tons were monetized through a rice buyer, and the monetized funds were used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for the school meals. That distribution took place throughout the month, and was completed by the end of April.

Midterm: Under the GFE program, IPHD received a total of 28,400 metric tons of commodities. This included 16,400 tons of wheat (bread flour), 6,000 tons of rice (1,500 tons of long grain rice and 4,500 tons of medium grain), 2,250 tons of corn-soy blend, 1,500 tons of vegetable oil, and 2,250 tons of corn-soy milk.

The wheat flour was made into pasta at a local manufacturing facility, with services paid in-kind with flour. The long grain rice was monetized. The vegetable oil, medium grain rice, corn-soy blend, and corn-soy milk were distributed directly for meal preparation.

Final: The program objectives were revised to encompass the distribution of 17,000 metric tons of USDA commodities across Moldova, to locally process the commodity flour into 3,000 tons of pasta, and to allocate funds to pay for local fresh foods, meal service employees such as cooks, and cooking utensils and equipment.

In eighteen months of service, the project met its goal to feed 300,000 children in 1,250 institutions. IPHD provided a total of over 105 million hot meals to 300,000 students in 2,400 schools and pre-schools/kindergartens. From 17,000 metric tons of commodities, more than 15,000 metric tons were distributed to schools. In addition to the commodities, schools received more than 410 tons of fresh potatoes and onions. The remaining commodities were finished as of April 2003.

Midterm: The goals of the IPHD GFE project are to increase attendance and enrollment, and improve classroom performance. The specific objectives are to provide meals to 300,000 preschool and school-age students in 1,250 schools, targeting the poorest sector of the population; and to upgrade kitchen utensils.

Final: The project completed its operations in May of 2003.

Midterm: The project began in January 2002, a delay from its intended start date of September 2001. Nevertheless, the project has met 89% of its goal to feed 300,000 children in 1,250 institutions. IPHD has provided a total of 23 million hot meals to 266,000 students in 2,400 schools and pre-schools/kindergartens. The meal program will continue during the summer months at a reduced target of 10,000 kindergarten pupils, and the full program will be renewed at the start of the school year in September. The current program will end in December 2002.

Because it is the largest, most extensive program of this kind in Moldova, the GFE program plays a unique role in setting a pattern for community collaboration. In a country of very limited resources, food security is a concern for a large segment of the population. The activities associated with the process of feeding the youngest citizens of the nation have generated cooperation and inspired local initiatives.

Local governments enthusiastically support the GFE program, making changes in staff and budgets to facilitate the rapid startup of the school meal program. Many schools have reopened kitchens closed since independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Civic leadership has been energized to respond with in-kind contributions. Regional councils, schools, and individuals have sent letters of appreciation. Children are coming to school anticipating USDA-sponsored food.

Final: The amount of local funds and in-kind contributions generated by the program has been estimated at $4,109,027. These funds were used to repaired school buildings as well as kitchens and cooking facilities, and there have been drives to collect cooking utensils.

Midterm: In four months, the program has generated an estimated $771,196 in in-kind contributions and local funds. This large local contribution is a measure of the acceptance of the program at the local and district levels.

Final: During the days of the Soviet Union, Moldova was considered a "bread basket" exporting agricultural goods to all of the other 14 republics. Since the breakup of the USSR, there has been a tremendous breakdown in investment, production and infrastructure, however the agricultural capacity of the country remains the same. There is the potential for Moldova to return to its prior role as a "bread basket" for the region, but it will take time and a commitment of resources.

The extent of local involvement in the school feeding program, in the form of financial and in-kind resources amounting to approximately 4,109,027 USD donated by families and community members, has enabled schools to dramatically improve schools’ feeding infrastructure. Repairs have been made; kitchen equipment, utensils, plates and dishes have been gathered from local authorities and parents. In conjunction with participation in GFE, a number of mayoralties have made substantial commitments to upgrading schools in order to "match" the commitment made by the program. The mayoralties achieve this in a number of different ways, such as including schools in local electrical grids, ensuring more efficient heating systems in classrooms and assisting in overall repairs and upgrades to school facilities.

Current economic conditions in Moldova are unlikely to permit the national and local governments to underwrite the school-feeding program in the immediate future. According to the data collected during visits, an estimated 30% of schools had fed children before the beginning of GFE, a percentate which could be kept in the future even without any GFE. The cities of Chisinau and Balti continue to finance feeding programs for the poorest 40% of primary school pupils, and in other towns and villages the situation is dependent upon the budget revenues of local authorities. Some schools reported that 2-3 years ago the numbers were significantly smaller. Thus, IPHD predicts that it will take 3-5 years for the situation to improve sufficiently for the government of Moldova to assume the administration of school feeding.

Midterm: Economic conditions most likely will not permit the national and local governments to underwrite the program in the immediate future. However, there is an upsurge in local participation.

Final: See evaluation methodology in Appendix 1.

Midterm: Both IPHD and USDA are carrying out monitoring and evaluation activities. IPHD routinely monitors the process, beginning with the unloading of commodities at warehouses. Monitoring forms were developed for field use: (1) for the initial needs assessment visits, which began in October 2001 before the foods arrived; (2) for checking food use; and (3) for schools to provide IPHD with a concise and consistent ongoing record of the program. In the five months since November 2001, IPHD’s seven monitors have made more than 3,300 visits to schools. They also held regional forums with educators, monitored the delivery at the warehouses, addressed localized concerns, held press conferences, and met with local governments to sign agreements. These agreements are written and signed with every school director or mayor responsible for schools participating in the GFE program.

Within Moldova, a monitor from a local private voluntary organization, ADSISTO, collects evaluation data for USDA. Using the standard GFE questionnaire, baseline data has been gathered on 20 sample schools. These schools were selected randomly from a matrix of factors selected after discussions with IPHD.

In the first five months, 23 million hot meals were provided to 266,000 students. In eighteen total months, 105 million hot meals were provided to 300,000 students.

Final: Moldova places a high emphasis on education as a social and cultural priority, and enrollment percentages were extremely high for both boys and girls in primary school before the implementation of GFE, and they have remained so since. Still the collected data on enrollment did show an increase of about 6% in enrollment for boys and girls. Further information on the positive impact of the program is reflected in anecdotal stories heard from students, teachers, program administrators, etc., as described elsewhere in this report.

Midterm: Moldova already had a high enrollment for education, and USDA data did not show an increase in enrollment. However, monitors did report the following:

The program is well received and recognized by the parents as having significant benefit for them. This is evidenced by the fact that summer-run kindergartens are opening and requesting inclusion in the program.

Final: Data has been collected, and observations show an increase in attendance except where there are problems in unheated schools during winter. In primary school (children 7-11 years old), enrollment and attendance is helped by the positive attitude of the parents who believe that all children should go to school, especially at that age. Later, when teens become able to earn an income, their absenteeism rates begin to climb due to their involvement in household and agricultural commitments. However, the monitors did report:

During the winter months, attendance is strongly influenced by heating in the school. Educational institutions receive heating for a half of the period from November to March, and even during that time pupils wear their coats inside the school. Central heating systems are often in disrepair and expensive to use, and many schools are forced to reduce the duration of lessons from 45 to 30 min. The availability of a GFE meal has a mitigating effect on the decrease in attendance during these months, and mayoralties in areas where schools operate GFE are more likely to include schools in local electrical grids, to ensure more efficient heating systems in classrooms and to assist in overall repairs and upgrades to school facilities.

Midterm: Data is being collected, but observations so far include the following:

Final: Teachers report that the attention and energy levels of students have improved since the introduction of the meal program.

Midterm: Teachers report that the attention and energy levels of students have improved since the introduction of the meal program.

Teachers and school officials report that since the start of the meal program, participation in after-school activities has increased in theater, dance, and other extra-curricular activities.

Final: There is no disparity between girls and boys in school attendance in Moldova. Education is a high social and cultural priority for children of both genders; therefore addressing a disparity in gender was not a programmatic issue here.

Midterm: There is no disparity between girls and boys in school attendance. Education is a high priority for children of both genders. A definitive analysis of project impact will be completed at the project’s conclusion.

Final: "Before, when children weren’t fed, I had had every day two or three pupils that came to me with complaints of stomach ache, and after examination I had sent them home. After becoming involved in the GFE program, the complaints have stopped."

"Because school was able to [start] feeding supported by GFE, I insisted that county authorities allocate funds for kitchen and canteen reparation. As the country budget had savings in 2001, it was decided that 32,000 lei would be allocated to the school."

"My dream is that some day, Moldova will be a strong and prosperous country, able to assist other countries the way that other countries are today assisting us."

Midterm: Teachers and other school officials appreciate the GFE resources. Teachers and school nurses report a reduction in complaints of stomach aches and signs of tiredness among students as a result of the meal enhancements made possible through GFE.

By providing food, the GFE program is helping poor families and poor villages. One example can be found in Talmaza, a village of 7,000 in the south of Moldova and a GFE implementation site. Talmaza formerly had five kindergartens, but only three survive because of economic hardships. Even these kindergartens do not function year-round because local authorities cannot afford to heat the buildings in winter. Carolina lives in Talmaza and is kindergarten age. Her mother used to work as a cook and her father as a tractor driver. However, when the collective farm was split among fellow villagers, Carolina's parents were left without land or permanent jobs. They now work for other landowners at the equivalent of less than $1.50 each per day. This means insufficient food, inadequate clothing (especially in winter months), and economic obstacles to attending kindergarten. The GFE program provides food and helps mitigate the economic hardships within Talmaza and other villages like it.

Last modified: Monday, April 14, 2008 06:13:23 PM