In the rural communities of Kenya where we work, nearly every family depends on subsistence farming, relying on rainfall to grow crops that serve as both their primary food source and main form of income. This reliance on unpredictable weather patterns makes their livelihoods extremely fragile. When harvests fail or yields are poor, the consequences ripple through every part of life. For 98% of families, this means they struggle to cover basic school fees, including the cost of a uniform—often a requirement for attendance. For more than half, the situation becomes even more dire, forcing them to make painful decisions between feeding their children or keeping them in school.

The challenge of food insecurity intersects directly with access to education. Across Africa, approximately one-third of school-aged children benefit from school feeding programs. However, in East Africa, that number drops significantly—only 20% of children receive a meal during the school day. This gap represents not just a nutritional deficiency, but a lost opportunity for learning, growth, and long-term development. Hunger affects children’s ability to focus, engage, and perform well academically. When a child comes to school hungry, learning takes a backseat to basic survival.

School meals are more than just nourishment—they are a powerful incentive for education, especially for the children most likely to be left behind. Girls and young women, in particular, are less likely to attend or stay in school due to cultural and economic pressures. Providing meals at school increases attendance, reduces dropout rates, and can delay early marriage by keeping girls in the classroom longer. It also helps families feel supported, knowing their children are fed and cared for, even during difficult seasons.

In addition to direct meal provision, school and community garden programs have become vital tools in improving both the quality of food and the sustainability of feeding programs. These gardens supply fresh produce to supplement school meals and teach students valuable agricultural skills—knowledge they can carry into adulthood to support themselves and their families. Gardening also creates opportunities for parents, particularly women, to engage with the school community through cultivating crops and even generating income from surplus produce.

Thanks to ongoing support, we now provide regular school meals to 570 children, and our agricultural initiatives currently support three schools, positively impacting nearly 1,000 children. The health benefits alone have been remarkable: school infirmary visits due to illness have dropped by 83%, showing a clear connection between improved nutrition and overall well-being.

The potential impact of these programs is wide-reaching. They promote greater social justice by making education more accessible to the most vulnerable. They build stronger, more connected school communities. They empower women in rural areas to participate in revenue-generating activities. They improve academic outcomes by helping children focus and retain what they learn. And perhaps most importantly, they lay the foundation for long-term self-sufficiency and poverty alleviation. By investing in school meals and agricultural programs, we are not just addressing immediate needs—we are helping to shape a future where children can learn without hunger, families can build resilience, and communities can thrive. The transformation has already begun, and with continued support, its impact can grow for generations to come.

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