UNESCO reports 1.8 million – or 10% of - school-age children aged 6-17 in Kenya do not attend school with UNICEF confirming only 53% of Kenyan children enrol at secondary school. In Thika and Kiambu County, several low-paying industries including flower farms and tea plantations are prevalent. Food poverty leads directly to school absenteeism. Many children come to school without breakfast and with no lunch provision, they often resort to scavenging for food instead of coming to school.

Porridge Clubs are a simple and effective solution running in 10 schools in and around the town of Thika and enabling almost 2,000 children born into poverty to go to school every day instead of working, begging or scavenging for food. Through Watoto Kwanza, our Kenyan NGO partner, we provide participating schools with a basic kitchen, water and cooking utensils. The schools employ a cook and receive a supply of vitamin supplemented porridge so children receive a nutritious daily porridge meal.