Give Hope to Kisumu's Underprivileged Children

Dear Donor,

Lunchtime at Alendu School looked a little different this week.

Over 600 steaming plates of rice, green grams, and cabbage were served that both students and teachers gathered to share. For dessert, each student received a lollipop, a small treat that brought smiles across the school grounds.

But beyond the meal itself, the day was a reminder of what is possible when communities and partners work together with a shared vision.

Grade 9 learners shared how the School Meals Program continues to transform their daily school experience.

For many students, a hot school meal means more than food. It means one less long walk under the midday sun, more time spent in the classroom, and the energy needed to participate fully in afternoon lessons.

Our partnership with Alendu began in 2021 when then-Head Teacher Mr. Nyambuo approached us seeking support for his students as they prepared for their KCPE examinations. What began as a request for stationery support became the foundation of a lasting partnership built on a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Over the years, that partnership has grown beyond the classroom.

Together, we have supported students through stationery, a total of 700 education packs, empowered  about 190 girls and their mothers through Empowerment Workshops and Sanitary Kits, served over 80,000 hot meals through our onsite School Meals Program and meal kits to families, and engaged at least 200 students in climate action and environmental education workshops.

At the heart of this partnership has been Mr. Nyambuo's dedication to his students and community. Although Mr. Nyambuo has recently retired, the impact he leaves behind extends far beyond the school gates. It lives on in the students who now have greater opportunities to learn, the families who have received support during difficult times, and the stronger community that has been built through collective action.

This is what meaningful community partnership looks like: identifying needs together, bridging gaps together, and working side by side to create lasting change.

As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded that sustainable impact is rarely achieved alone. It is built through relationships, trust, and a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

From a single request for examination stationery to years of collaborative programming, the partnership with Alendu demonstrates how one connection can grow into a movement of support that reaches students, families, and the wider community.

Links:

• $50 = 400 Meals
• More Stories of Change