20,000 Students in Alego Usonga and Nyando Gain from Pilot Feeding and Mentorship Program

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A Comprehensive Approach to Education and Child Welfare

A significant initiative is making a difference in the lives of over 20,000 students from 47 public mixed-day secondary schools in Alego Usonga and Nyando sub-counties. This pilot programme focuses on feeding and mentorship, aiming to reduce school dropouts and teenage pregnancies while enhancing academic performance.

The programme is led by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) in collaboration with Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samwel Atandi, with oversight from the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services. It targets students from vulnerable households affected by poverty, flooding, and food insecurity. The initiative has received support through donated food items such as maize, beans, cowpeas, and cooking oil, which are used in school feeding programmes across participating schools.

Ben Willis, an officer with CWSK, explained that the programme was created to keep students in school by addressing hunger, a major cause of absenteeism and poor academic performance. "Our goal is to eradicate teenage pregnancies and school dropouts by creating a supportive learning environment," he said. He noted that schools have already seen improved class attendance and better academic outcomes since the programme began.

Maurice Owuor, the Alego Usonga Constituency Manager, highlighted the positive impact of the food distributed in October last year. Students are now more settled and focused in class, leading to improved discipline and performance. He also mentioned a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies, calling the initiative a game changer that has enabled more students to attain direct university entry after completing their examinations.

Maurice Saka, the Siaya Sub-County Director of Education, emphasized that the feeding programme has eased the financial burden on parents who often struggle to provide daily meals for their children. He noted that the initiative has helped curb cases where students drop out of school to engage in fishing or small-scale mining to support their families.

School administrators have also welcomed the programme, citing improved academic performance. Principals from Mwer Principal Secondary School and Dark Alison Senior Secondary School reported positive results, with one school recording an increase in its KCSE mean grade from 4.0 to 5.7 in the most recent examinations.

CWSK has announced plans to expand the programme to other regions, including Keiyo South in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Mogotio in Baringo County, and Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County, starting next week. This expansion is part of broader efforts to enhance student welfare nationwide.

During the distribution of food supplies and mentorship materials to day secondary schools in Nyando Sub-County, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Cheptumo, alongside Children Services Principal Secretary Carren Ageng'o, spoke at Lela Secondary School. They reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding children's rights, promoting child participation, and ensuring continuity of learning during emergencies.

Cheptumo stated that the intervention by CWSK is addressing immediate barriers to school attendance, including lack of food, sanitary towels, and basic learning materials. She highlighted the emergency need to feed children, noting that in some areas it is drought, but in places like this, it is flooding. When floods occur, families lose food, and children are unable to come to school.

This initiative exemplifies a collaborative effort between various stakeholders to create a supportive environment for students. By addressing critical issues such as hunger and providing mentorship, the programme is helping to shape a brighter future for many young people in the region.