Backpacks, filled with basic educational items, are on their way to Kenya to benefit children who have been affected by the East Africa crisis.
Mary’s Meals is sending backpacks to western Kenya where they will be distributed among four schools in Eldoret.
Thousands of children at Kimalel Primary, Langas Primary, Racecourse Primary and Kipkaren Primary will receive the backpacks donated by supporters across the UK. They contain items such as notebooks, pencils, pens, towels, sandals, school clothing, soap and tennis balls.
The children receiving the backpacks have been affected by the crisis in East Africa, where crippling food shortages have put the lives of thousands in immediate danger, drought has destroyed livelihoods, and many families have been forced to leave their land in search of food and water.
Charles Chuma from The Way Christian Ministries, one of our partners in Kenya, said: “I’m sure there will be a lot of joy on many faces upon reception and we can’t wait to see this happen.”
At the Mary’s Meals warehouse in Glasgow, volunteers helped to load the latest container with over 7,600 backpacks which are due to arrive at the schools in February, next year. The container was also packed with three tents to be used for food storage.
Volunteers for Mary's Meals loaded the container with backpacks
Our Backpack Project appeals to schools, clubs and other groups to fill unwanted backpacks with basic educational materials to send to children receiving Mary’s Meals.
Over 250,000 backpacks have been delivered to Malawi and Liberia since the start of the project in 2004.
Mary’s Meals is currently feeding over 18,000 children in Kenya with a daily nutritious meal.
Recently, Duncan Thumbi, the head teacher of a school in Eldoret’s Langas slum, told us that the school roll had risen by over 100 since Mary’s Meals arrived.
He said: “Before, children were constantly fainting due to hunger. Some left to go and find food. It’s extremely dangerous for children to go off foraging on their own. Some have been kidnapped or assaulted.
“Now they come every day and stay until late afternoon. They learn much more, they are safe and happy. Having had a plate of maize and beans, they can concentrate. We are moving up the school league tables and, for this great gift, we are so grateful.”
