For 200 fortunate Kenya children living in the Nairobi slum of Kibera getting an education at the Seed School not only expands their minds, giving them hope for escape one of the largest slums on the African continent, but also improves their nutritional health.
Since 2019, thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, we have been able to provide free breakfasts and lunches to up to 200 children each weekday – the Seed School’s entire student body!
Seed Foundation founder and director Patrick Odongo who oversees the school and its feeding operations this year is requesting grant funding in the amount of $7,310 for six months emphasizing the great need for the school’s students living in one of the largest slums of Africa and among the most impoverished places in the world.
“The feeding program is very vital as families in Kibera are unable to support more than a meal for their households,” says Patrick. “Without the feeding program, it is impossible for the children to concentrate in class or come to school regularly.
“The Seed School feeding program enables the children from the Kibera slum to attend school regularly and fully concentrate during their class sessions.
“Well-fed and educated children are a pillar in any society and a foundation for a vibrant society for key developments.”
Patrick went on to explain that the project has a significant effect since the students will be able to enjoy these meals in school every single day it has reduced nutrient deficiency diseases.
“Most of the pupils don’t have a good balanced diet leading to deficiency disease like marasmus (a severe form of malnutrition resulting from an overall lack of calories), kwashiorkor (a disease marked by severe protein malnutrition), and rickets (a bone disease usually caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium) which has been a major problem in the lives of these children.”
Patrick has seen firsthand not only the short-term effects of the students’ daily access to nutritious porridge for breakfast and lunch, which can include ugali (a staple food in Kenya made from maize cooked to a consistency of mashed potatoes), greens, tomatoes, onions, green grams (mung beans), beans and corn as their physical health has increased as their school absences and dropout rates have decreased.
“When they receive these meals, it enhances their concentration in class as well as their academic performance,” says Patrick.
“Education is a pillar in any society, and through this program, we believe that more students will join the institution. Through the education they get in school they will become important people in the community. They will become young role models to their young ones and even the entire community.”
In sum, “The aim of this program is to provide hot nutritious and balanced meals to children in school as a strategy to improve their nutritional status, increase school enrolment and performance. Offering constant balanced meals enables the children to fully concentrate on their leanings and with this their performances are improved. This helps wipe out illiteracy and gives the children clear opportunities for a better future.
“The project’s major outcome is that the level of illiteracy in the community will be reduced, and more young people will grow up having big dreams to brighten their future.
“Most of them will focus on their education and we are going to have great young leaders for the community in future.”
