A proud and landmark moment as the Government of Sindh and the United States Department of Agriculture officially signed an MoU under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program to launch the Sindh Sustainable School Meals Program (SSSm) — a transformative six-year initiative (October 2025 – September 2031) with an estimated investment of USD 40 million to strengthen education, nutrition, and food security across the province.

The agreement signing ceremony was held in Karachi, where Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah represented the Government of Sindh, while U.S. Consul General Charles Goodman represented the U.S. Government. The ceremony was also attended by Muhammad Khurram Gondal, Country Director of Save the Children Pakistan, Cocoa Ushiyama, Country Representative of the World Food Programme, Chairman P&D Syed Najam Shah, and Secretary School Education & Literacy Department Zahid Ali Abbasi.

On this occasion, HANDS Welfare Foundation formally joined hands with Save the Children Pakistan through a six-year implementation agreement (2025–2031), marking another significant step toward improving the lives of vulnerable children and communities across Sindh.

The program will initially reach over 164,000 direct beneficiaries across 730 schools in Thatta, Sujawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan, providing:

• Daily nutritious hot meals using U.S.-provided commodities (wheat, pulses, fortified oil) along with locally procured food

• Attendance-based take-home rations to improve retention, especially for girls

• Teacher training and literacy support

• WASH infrastructure rehabilitation (water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities)

• Food safety and nutrition training for teachers, head teachers, and School Management Committees

• Engagement with local farmers for fresh produce, strengthening the provincial economy

This historic partnership lays the foundation for a safer, healthier, and brighter future for the children of Sindh.