Dear Editor,
I write to support the letter sent to you with information that the students living at the Annai Dormitories are experiencing a food shortage which led to your investigation and report. I have seen the letter by the Department of Education stating that the budget must not exceed G$400 000.00 per annum. This, as explained previously, is woefully inadequate.
Please be further informed that the students were not given lunch today (October 3) because of the short supply granted by the Regional Democratic Council. On questioning this I was informed that there were inadequate supplies to allow for more than one meal for the students. The school was forced to dismiss earlier than normal today so that the students could forage for their lunch. I visited the storeroom and found that the supplies do not include basic salt, oil, and condiments to prepare a proper meal. I was informed that the cooks would normally purchase these and other supplementary items using their minimal personal funds. Sometimes parents and other benevolent persons would purchase supplements to enhance the unsatisfactory meals. Mr. Editor, it is sad that instead of making urgent and caring steps to solve this problem the Regional Democratic Council has taken the road to mislead the nation and themselves that all is well at the Annai dormitories. I would not have bothered to challenge the truthfulness of the Regional Executive Officer if the matter was resolved satisfactorily but sadly this has not happened.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Williams
Senior Councillor
Annai Central and Secretary
Annai Village Council
