“We travelled from South Sudan, but I don’t remember the journey,” says Joanne. “My parents say that when we were coming here, many people died on the way because of the war.”

They were safe from violence, but poverty and food shortages meant Joanne and her family faced an uncertain future. The devastating impact of hunger goes even beyond the physical pain of malnutrition and all the health problems it brings. Hunger causes students like Joanne Elizabeth to struggle to concentrate in class. And as their education suffers, their future grows dim.

Victoria Kabajanuza, Head Teacher at Canrom School in Kiryandongo, sees the harsh reality of hunger every day in her students’ lives.

“You know, when a child has not had lunch, they cannot concentrate in their afternoon lessons,” she says. “You may find a child collapsing in the school compound. At the hospital, they tell you it is due to starvation when they have not eaten.”

But hunger doesn’t simply cause physical pain and a raft of health problems. Hunger steals the hope of a better future. Through the support of Feed The Hungry, Joanne Elizabeth became one of more than 400,000 children in 23 countries to receive a hot, nutritious meal every day at school. With regular meals, she is stronger physically, and she says a full stomach is helping to sharpen her mentally, too.

“When I eat, I can concentrate in class and get what the teacher is telling me. The meal is nutritious. It makes me able to grow!”

For Victoria, the classroom is dramatically changed when the students eat a proper lunch.

“When the children know they’re going to have lunch, the attendance is very high. When there is no food, the morale goes down for learning.”

If hunger is an enemy that steals hope for the future, a full stomach gives the strength to look to tomorrow with new resolve.

Take Away Hunger Day on 24 August aims to supercharge the effort to feed hundreds of thousands of children like Joanne Elizabeth.

Media organisations across Australia are banding together to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8).

This national event has a simple aim – to encourage generous Australians that a gift of just $6 can feed a child like Joanne Elizabeth for an entire month through Feed The Hungry’s school-based program.

“Being on the ground in Kiryandongo and seeing the situation for children like Joanne Elizabeth is truly confronting,” says Ben Evans, National Director for Feed The Hungry Australia.

“But the impact of a nutritious meal on the children’s health, their education, even their home life is really powerful. So we’re thrilled to be helping to feed so many children – and grateful for passionate partners jumping on board to respond to the deadly issue of hunger.”

Despite the hardship Joanne has faced, she is excited about the future. And with good nutrition and a strong education, she has an opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.

“I have never met any nurses,” she admits, “but I’ve heard that they look after people. So I want to become a nurse. If I fall sick, I will be able to treat myself! And when I help other people, they will be alive.”

Her classmates hold ambitions for a brighter future, too.

“When we talk to the students, some tell us that they want to be doctors, others want to be lawyers. A few of them want to be teachers like us, I don’t know why!” says Victoria, with a smile.

“Yes, they get excited about their future! And they are very hard-working children. They don’t want to miss studies – they are always regularly in class.”

It’s a future that you can help to make even more exciting with your gift today.

Just $6 feeds a child like Joanne Elizabeth for a month at school. More than a meal, you’re providing a future! Visit here to take away hunger today.

Watch Joanne’s video to get a glimpse of life in Kiryandongo refugee camp… and see how you can help children like her to build a better future!

Richard Miller, for Feed The Hungry