By Kabaraji Richard
Over 1,000 pupils from Liyavo Primary School in Trans Nzoia County are set to benefit from free Mama Feeding Program.
This is an initiative of the country’s first lady – Mama Rachel Ruto – that seeks to keep pupils in school.
Speaking during the donation of food stuffs to the school under the initiative, the school head teacher Catherine Wafula said there has been a decrease in student’s attendance due to poverty.
Lack of food has been cited as one of the main reasons behind cases of the drop outs among learners.
“My school is in the rural areas where poverty index is high thus greatly affecting our operations with most pupils especially girls dropping out of school due to hunger and poverty,” the head teacher said.
However, she is optimistic that the initiative will see to it that pupils are be given food when they attend school thus increasing attendance.
“With this school having 1,300 pupils, we expect more to come in as they will be attracted by the program.”
For now, over three hundred pupils who are sitting for their national exams in the school will benefit from the program with others benefiting later in January when school’s reopen.
“The first beneficiaries will be candidates both for grade six and standard eight then the others will join next year,” Wafula said.
Reduce school drop outs
Parents in the area have lauded the move saying it will reduce the number of drops outs as well as child labor which is also being witnessed in the area.
“The move by the first lady is good. It will motivate the kids especially the girl child to improve in their studies,” said Fred Kitambi, one of the parente at Liyavo Primary School.
Dawson Mudenyo from the first lady’s office said they choose the school due to high population and poverty index.
“We as the Mama Feeding Program choose to help this area so as to ease the burden on both the pupils and parents. Our aim is to help them concentrate in their education and their forthcoming exams.”
The program is being rolled out across the country.
