Commonwealth > Kenya - School Meal Porridge Clubs

'Enabling Kenyan children to go to school every day instead of working, begging or scavenging for food on the street.'

Kenya was the first country that the African Children’s Fund worked in and since 2006, their name has become synonymous with Porridge Clubs. These now run in 10 primary schools in and around the town of Thika, and enable over 2,500 children to go to school every day instead of working, begging or scavenging for food on the street.

Through their Kenyan NGO partner, Watoto Kwanza, they provide participating schools with a basic kitchen, water, and cooking utensils. After that, the schools receive a supply of Uji – a vitamin-supplemented porridge – so that the children can receive a school meal each day.

By supporting the work of The African Children's Fund through local 'a pot for a pot' matching campaigns at the Otley Studio, along with general fundraising we are able to help continue to achieve the following benefits:

A daily mug of porridge has led Watoto Kwanza to report that:

- Absenteeism has reduced by over 80%.

- There are fewer cases of children falling ill, due to better nutrition.

- Children’s participation in games and physical education activities has improved.

- Enrolment within participating schools has increased.

- Children are achieving better results in their examinations.

It costs around 9p a day to provide a child with a cup of nutritious Uji (Vitamin Supplemented Porridge). So a donation of £9 could provide a single day's meal to 100 children or £25 could feed a child at a school for a whole year. This means that they do not have to work, scavenge, or beg on the streets.

Thank you to The Otley Studio, one of our Gold Donors for running a campaign in their cafe area matching every coffee/ tea purchased with a pot of porridge for a child in Kenya.