A total of 61,700 pupils from 171 primary schools in Kajiado County have benefited from a food pack to sustain them and their families during the upcoming school holiday.
Light Up Hope, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), donated food rations to the pupils and their families to cushion them from hunger during the long school break.
Speaking at Saina Primary School after flagging off the food distribution exercise, Light Up Hope Executive Director Moses Murage revealed that the holiday food pack kit was an extension of their ongoing school feeding programme.
Murage noted that many families in Kajiado had been affected by the prolonged drought witnessed in the area, and as the schools close for the holidays, the food rations will ensure that no child sleeps hungry while at home.
“With the school holidays being a time when many children and their families experience food insecurity due to the unavailability of school meals, we have undertaken this initiative to support them in ensuring that no child goes hungry during this time.” He said.
The director said the initiative, which cost Sh 26 million, is aimed at alleviating poverty through supporting educational progress.
The organisation’s President, Kelly Shuaghnessy, reiterated that they were education-focused and knew that when a student has no food, their ability to learn and grow is diminished.
“Our organisation is education-focused; we know that when students have no food at home, their ability to learn and grow is diminished. The initiative will support families in ensuring that no child goes hungry during the holiday and that they will all be reporting back to school in January 2024.” said Shaughnessy.
According to Alensio Lazaro from Light Up Hope, the on-going school feeding programme, which was introduced in 171 public primary schools in Kajiado County last year, has helped retain pupils in the class.
He noted that enrollment had gone up in schools where the programme was being implemented, as pupils were assured of a balanced meal while in school.
Saina Primary Head Teacher, Rose Naitu, echoed Lazaro’s sentiments, adding that the school feeding programme has helped improve the performance of the school.
“Since the programme was introduced, we have seen an improvement in academic performance. The pupils are able to concentrate better in class when they are properly fed. Class attendance is also high.” Said Naitu.
Samuel Ondiek, a parent at Saina Primary School, said the school feeding programme was a great initiative, as he no longer has to worry about providing lunch for his three children when they are in school.
Ondiek, a casual labourer, expressed his gratitude to the Light Up Hope Foundation for extending the feeding programme during the holidays, adding that the food donations will ensure that his household does not sleep hungry during the school break.
Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, who was present, revealed that apart from the school feeding programme, the NGO was also sponsoring students from the county.
Moshisho said the organisation was spending Sh162 million annually to retain students from Kajiado in secondary schools and universities.
“We are thankful to you for the generous work you do for our people. We are also appealing to other organisations to join hands with Light Up Hope in helping our children,” said Moshisho.
By Rop Janet
