Feeding minds and tummies of 230 children

We’re really delighted to tell you that thanks to your generous support not only could the Murakaza School be rebuilt after the storm it has been able to build kindergarten rooms, providing 94 places to give the youngest children in the community a good start in life.

Altogether we have 260 children at the Murakaza School and Kindergarten, so we now have four teachers plus three nursery teaching assistants, and one assistant in first primary. 

And now -- thanks to YOU -- we have started the Porridge project. No more empty tummies and children too weak to learn.

A bowl of porridge for each child every day for a year

We’re now providing breakfast for children at the school, giving each child a daily bowl of fortified of porridge that contains all the vitamins and minerals they urgently need.

This started after our teachers noticed that many of the children were too hungry to concentrate and fell asleep during lessons and didn’t have the energy to play during recess. They realised that many children come from families, which are just too poor to provide enough food for their children every day.

We identified that a simple bowl of fortified porridge was easy, cheap and quick to make and gave the children the energy and nutrition they need. We asked for your help, and you responded so we were able to equip a small food preparation area, eating utensils for the children and porridge and vital supplements. In September 2018 the first batch of porridge was served. It is astonishing to see the difference: the children are healthier, more focused and less absent due to illnesses. 

With your help, we can make sure the children at Murakaza keep getting this source of nutrients each day. With just £24 ($32), we can provide a bowl of porridge every single day for one child for a whole year.

Giving parents a livelihood

CAPE is also supporting the children’s parents by running a sewing workshop to teach them to sew, to give them the chance to earn a living by making and repairing clothes for families in their communities. At the moment, parents at the workshop earn money by making school uniforms for Murakaza School. However, we need more sewing machines, as there aren’t enough to go round. They’re expensive to buy (£183/$245 each), so we are asking you to help us by giving some financial support to buy more machines.

As we mentioned the school has been rebuilt and, and thanks to your generous support, can now offer additional kindergarten places. However, CAPE continues to need your support for its school feeding programme, teachers and assistants salaries and sewing machines, so please consider making another donation today. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.