Michael Stulman/CRS

Ama Traoré, nine years old, works on her schoolwork at her home in Diarrabougou, Mali. Ama is a student at Diarrabougou School, where she and the other students receive a free school lunch each day through Catholic Relief Services' Jigiya program, also known as Food for Education. Jigiya (which means "hope" in the local Bambara language) program is a school feeding and nutrition program that uses school lunches as an incentive to increase school enrollment and keep students in school. Jigiya also provides training for teachers and principals, and strengthens the capacity of local School Management Committees (SMCs). The program uses volunteer cooks at each school who receive a monthly ration of food to take home in exchange for volunteering. Jigiya is a five-year, $30 million McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition initiative sponsored and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is run in partnership with CARITAS, AMPRODE Sahel, Guamina, and Education Development Center (EDC).

Ama is a 9-year-old student in Mali. She and her classmates receive a free school lunch every day through a program funded by foreign assistance.

Congress is making decisions now that will impact millions of families struggling with hunger around the world.  

As people of faith, we are called to uphold human dignity and build a world where all people can reach their God-given potential. One way you can support people in need is by advocating for U.S. international assistance. This funding is lifesaving in emergencies and supports long-term development programs that help families and communities build resilience, reducing the need for humanitarian support in the future. 

Urge your members of Congress to maintain current funding levels for international poverty-reducing development and humanitarian assistance in the fiscal year 2026 budget.  

By lifting your voice today, you help:  

• Families and children access emergency food during a crisis. 
• Smallholder farmers improve their crops so that they can earn a living and feed their families. 
• Communities strengthen their capacity and ability to provide for their own needs.  

Thank you for taking action today!  

Did you know? Research shows that constituents’ voices have significant influence on congressional members’ decision-making, especially when communications are personalized—like sharing a story or demonstrating the impact an issue will have in the district or state.  Don’t forget to personalize your message!