East African Children’s Fund partners with schools and women’s community groups in rural Kenya to grow nutrient-rich food for 8,000+ children.
Home-Grown School Meals: Nourishing Bodies and Minds
In collaboration with school leaders, formal and informal women’s groups, and other community leaders, we support school communities in utilizing local land and resources to grow nutrient-dense food needed to provide warm, healthy meals. With support from EACF, school communities grow 24+ varieties of fruits and vegetables, build and maintain fishponds as an alternate protein source, and raise chickens for eggs. We also encourage partner schools to utilize the garden plots to create hands-on learning opportunities for students. The agronomy skills they gain can support their families in growing food to eat at home or sell in the local markets.
"I come from Samburu County, one of the semi-arid areas, in Kenya. I lived with my grandmother in a small hut which we call a manyatta. We had 2 cows and a dog called Rambo. Before coming to Nchiru Children’s Village in 2010, I took care of my grandmother and our 2 cows. This was very hard for me since I also wanted to go to school."
Women’s Community Groups
Partnerships with local women’s groups are a backbone of our programming. According to the World Bank, women make up 80 percent of Kenya's farmers. Women’s participation in school farms and gardens is critical to the ongoing success and sustainability of our work. EACF’s program delivers access to high-quality seeds, tools, key inputs, and local expertise, so that women’s community groups have everything they need to lead the efforts to provide daily, nutritious meals to their children. Knowledge gains from this program equips them to grow more food at home, to feed their families and to sell in local markets for additional household income.
“We are a family of 6 with my husband and 3 children and my father. I never had a kitchen garden and this is a big help for us. I planted onions, kales and spinach. I harvest at home here to feed my family and also sold a bit for some shillings.”