Church donates Sh45m full-year food package to 24 schools in ASAL

Some 10,000 school going children have been identified by a church to benefit from food rations that would keep them in school.

The children to be supported by Salvation Army church at a cost of Sh45 million are drawn from regions that have been ravaged by drought.

The church said some of these children had dropped out of school because of malnutrition.

Speaking during flagging of the food to the affected areas, Kenya East Territorial Commander Daniel Kiama said it is the church's role to remain vigilant in serving the suffering humanity as much as they give them spiritual nourishment.

''This is our restoration plan to the vulnerable school going children who are poor and unable to attend classes because of spending days without food,'' Kiama said.

The whole consignment will cost Sh45 million through its emergency response team consisting of beans, maize, cooking oil and bar soap for hand washing is worth Sh45 million, a donation from its Headquarters and international members.

This includes 2,400 bags, 90 kg each of maize, 1,200 bags of 90 kg of beans, 2000 cans of 20 litres of cooking oil and 895 boxes of bar soaps. Of this, 328 bags of beans, 440- 20 litres of cooking oil and 109 cartons of soap will go to schools in the said areas.

The cleric further said, the initiative dubbed food for fees will ensure students from vulnerable families remain in school as part of the church's mission and preaching.

''As we feed our congregation with spiritual nourishment, we have a role to extend to the learners by giving them meals which will help them grow up resiliently and also remain in school,'' Kiama said.

Areas set to benefit include Isiolo, Makueni, Machakos, Tharaka Nithi and lower Embu- Mbeere Counties that will see a total of 24 schools distributed with the food.

This comes after some resorted to wild fruits for survival amid the long drought in the regions.

A headteacher in Mbeere, Embu County who sought anonymity said most of the time teachers have to find ways to entice learners to stay in class.

She revealed that the school usually relies on government and well- wishers for rations to keep them afloat which has not been forthcoming.

''The children who majority live with their grandparents from the bushes to quell hunger pangs. The fruits are bitter but the children have to be content with it. We have to go a long way to bring this child to class and with the food, the children will find a smile on their faces,'' she said.

The cleric further said the project not only helps prevent abuse and neglect, but provides hope and nutritional food to help in the upbringing of the children.

''The Salvation Army Kenya East Territory will continue to bring people together and build community in the safest way possible as well as continue to support the government and its people in the fight against hunger and other disasters that endanger the lives of our people," he said.

Kiama was accompanied by Territorial President for Women's Ministries, Colonel Anne Kiama, and Chief Secretary Lieut-Colonel Friday Ayanam as well as Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries, Lieut-Colonel Glory Ayanam.