Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow is the founder and Global CEO of Mary's Meals, a charity that provides daily meals to over 2.4 million children in their place of education across 17 countries.13 Here are some key points about Magnus:

Background and Early Work

Magnus began his career as a fish farmer in Argyll, Scotland.1 In 1992, during the Balkan conflict, he and his brother Fergus were moved by the scenes on television and took a week off work to deliver aid to Bosnia.1 This led to multiple aid trips and eventually the formation of Scottish International Relief (SIR), which later became Mary's Meals.15

Founding of Mary's Meals

In 2002, during an aid trip to Malawi, Magnus met a 14-year-old boy named Edward whose simple hope for food and education inspired the creation of Mary's Meals.1 The organization started by feeding 200 children in Malawi and has since grown to feed millions of children daily.14

Recognition and Awards

Magnus has received numerous accolades for his humanitarian work, including:

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 20115
• Named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 20152
• CNN's Top 10 Heroes in 20102
• Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year2

Personal Life and Values

Magnus is a father of seven children and maintains strong Catholic faith.3 He continues to work from the same shed where the charity began, which serves as a reminder of the organization's humble beginnings and core values.4

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow's work with Mary's Meals demonstrates his commitment to combating child hunger and promoting education in some of the world's poorest communities.