By Charles Coldman | Director
The rains are finally arriving in our project area after an absence of more than a year but the impact of the drought continues to be felt.
Food continues to be in short supply across Kenya and unfortunately prices have continued to rise; we are now paying 60% more for beans and 40% more for maize than we were as recently as September 2016. The projected cost of the feeding programme for 2017 has now escalated 30% from our initial budget, but that is on the basis that food prices do not rise further still (which is inconceivable given the circumstances).
As a result, we have unfortunately had to take measures to control costs and ensure we can sustain delivery of the programme. Scaling back the programme in terms of the number of days we provide lunch or the number of children we feed is not a desirable option, so we have therefore reviewed the amount of food that we apportion per meal and have made some reductions in the amount of rice and maize.
This has created some significant cost savings whilst minimising the impact on pupils who are in particular need of a guaranteed meal at this time, as families continue to struggle to put food on the table.
The decision has the universal approval of all headteachers and has, of course, been made with the long-term interests and stability of the programme and the charity in mind. And whilst the changes are intended to be on a permanent basis, they will of course be subject to review.
Should prices rise further to the extent that these savings are cancelled out we may have to further reduce portion sizes on a temporary basis until prices stabilise and (hopefully) fall back to pre-drought levels.
These remain uncertain times but we hope that the rains will hang around for next 2-3 months and that food supplies and prices will return to normal levels as soon as possible; in the meantime, we are doing all we can to maintain our feeding programme and this vital lifeline for the nearly 2,750 children that we now feed.
If you can give anything towards our efforts we would be very grateful for your support. It costs just a couple of pounds/dollars to provide one pupil with a daily lunch for a month or, if you're feeling very generous, a donation of £250/$311 pays for lunch for all 2,750 children for one day.
To make a donation please click here.
Thank you.
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