13 primary schools in Mbeere South benefit from food donations to combat hunger

Fagging off of the food donation./HANDOUT

More than 5,000 pupils in thirteen primary schools in Mbeere South are reaping the benefits of a vital school feeding initiative aimed at combating hunger and boosting academic performance.

The programme, spearheaded by Pakakumi Company through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, is offering a lifeline to vulnerable learners in the semi-arid region.

The food donation comes at a critical time, as many households in Mbeere South continue to grapple with food shortages brought on by prolonged drought and poor harvests.

Speaking during the handover at Ngenge Primary School, Head Teacher Peter Ireri praised the impact of the feeding programme, noting a marked improvement in student performance and school attendance.

“Since the introduction of the feeding initiative, our school has risen from 5th to 2nd place in the Rwika Education Zone,” Ireri said.

“Learners are more focused, less distracted by hunger, and generally healthier.”

Ireri called for additional support from well-wishers to ensure the program’s sustainability, emphasizing that it significantly complements parental efforts, especially in economically strained households.

Echoing this appeal, Mbeere South Chief Leonard Njue underscored the importance of the initiative in reducing school dropout rates.

“The last farming season was especially hard. Without the assurance of a daily meal at school, many children would have been forced to stay home,” Njue warned.

Pakakumi’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Humphrey Njiru, shared insights into the company's broader CSR agenda.

He revealed that the school feeding programme, which started with just 1,500 pupils, has now expanded to benefit over 5,000 learners across the region.

“Our focus is primarily on public and special needs schools, where the need is most acute,” he said.

In addition to providing daily meals, Pakakumi’s CSR programme also supports school infrastructure development and supplies food aid to the most vulnerable families.

“These efforts align with the government’s objective of achieving 100% enrollment in basic education and ensuring a smooth transition to junior secondary school,” Njiru added.

As food insecurity continues to pose a challenge in many parts of Kenya, initiatives like Pakakumi’s are proving critical in ensuring no child is left behind in the pursuit of education.