Feeding Programme

In the heart of Mukuru kwa Njenga slum, near the International airport in Nairobi is a small school, mostly built of corrugated iron sheets and wooden poles. There are approximately 250 primary school aged pupils who attend ‘Utu Wema’ each day, thankful for a place in a school that is charging very minimally for a reasonably good education. A few years ago, when this school was in its infancy, it was noted that many of the pupils had very poor concentration and were falling asleep in class.

It was discovered that they were actually hungry, many had not had breakfast, and some not even a meal on the previous night. Mukuru kwa Njenga is home to approximately 100,000 people who do not have running water, toilets or refuse collection. Many do not have electricity, child mortality rates are high and crime is rife. Jengana is passionate about helping people within these slum communities to help themselves to break the cycle of poverty that exists. Education is that missing link for so many bright, gifted kids who are born into these conditions through no fault of their own. As well as in education, Jengana helps run the feeding programme run by Utu Wema. This programme gives each child a nutritious porridge mid-morning and as funds allow there is also a lunch available at a small cost. Making sure a child is nourished and able to concentrate and engage in learning is an important part of ensuring these children get a chance to escape the conditions they were born into.