AUN Feed and Read Program

In northeast Nigeria, homeless boys are at risk of radicalisation and homeless girls are at risk of increased birth rate and associated infant mortality. This program provides a meal a day in addition to literacy and numeracy classes to Almajiris and vulnerable out of school girls.

In December 2015, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) began a Feed and Read programme for marginalised, homeless children excluded from formal education and dependent on religious schooling and begging to survive (a common feature in cities across northeast Nigeria). Two hours of basic literacy and numeracy education and a hot meal are provided every weekday. Initially targeting boys, the programme expanded to include girls. It has had strong community support, with good child academic progress and continues to expand.