The JOM (Just One Meal) Initiative is the heartbeat of YIELD-Ethiopia, a school-based nutrition and protection program designed to ensure that poverty never stands in the way of a child’s education.
The JOM Essence
The Problem: In Southern Ethiopia, many children arrive at school on an empty stomach, leading to high dropout rates, stunting, and diminished cognitive potential.
The Solution: JOM provides daily, nutrient-dense breakfast and lunch to orphaned and highly vulnerable students, effectively "feeding minds by filling stomachs."
The Impact: Beyond nutrition, JOM acts as a safety net, monitoring child welfare to prevent early marriage and child labor, ensuring every student has the dignity and energy to succeed in the classroom.
The "Makafel" Connection
JOM is rooted in the Ethiopian spirit of Makafel (Sharing). It began as a family-led mission to honor the founder's childhood memories of hunger, evolving into a professional NGO pillar that treats every child not as a statistic, but as a guest at a communal table of hope.
