So, Mustafa assigned me this HUGE document to read. Really interesting stuff, actually, but I thought I'd share out this from page 14 of the document because it's directly related to the project Shelter will be doing in Liberia. I'd love to know if this project ended up getting funded or not... hmmm!
Investing in School Feeding Hunger and illiteracy are mutually reinforcing. Hunger in early life impairs cognitive development and limits future mental capacity. It keeps children out of school and inhibits their ability to concentrate once there. In turn, adults whose mental capacity and literacy is low because of childhood hunger are unable to take advantage of learning opportunities and cannot enjoy the economic benefits that result.
The linkage between hunger and illiteracy affects more than the potential of individuals and households; it also helps to determine the wealth of nations and the stability of states. A legacy of hunger in a critical mass of households can stagnate national economic development, deepen socio-economic cleavages, intensify conflicts over resources, and reverse national human development, as well as trigger and fuel wars. Conversely, reduced levels of child hunger coupled with increased literacy can give rise to a generation of youth and eventually adults with increased productive capacities which can be leveraged to spur economic growth, promote equitable distribution of social benefits and engender national stability.