Let's Keep Food on 560 Needy Children's Plates

They come to school hungry for knowledge—but also simply hungry.

At Live and Learn in Kenya International (LLK), we understand that learning cannot happen on an empty stomach. For children living in poverty in the slums of Baruti, food is not guaranteed at home. Hunger is a daily companion. Malnutrition is a quiet threat that steals focus, weakens the immune system, and slows development.

That’s why LLK provides two nutritious meals a day, six days a week,  to all of the children at our school—ensuring that no child at our Education Center goes hungry - and that our children at partner schools, colleges, and universities receive at least one warm lunch-

And the result? Children who are strong, healthy, happy—and ready to learn.

Why Meals Matter: Hunger is more than a feeling

For children growing up in poverty, hunger is a constant shadow. Many arrive at school having eaten nothing since the previous day, if at all. Without food, concentration is impossible. Attendance drops. Illness increases. Dreams fade.

That’s why our meals are not a bonus.
They are an essential part of our educational model.

What LLK provides

Every child enrolled at the LLK Education Center receives:

• A healthy breakfast (usually porridge or tea and bread)

• A filling lunch (such as rice and beans, githeri, vegetable stew, meat once a week or ugali with sukuma wiki and milk or fruit)

Meals are cooked fresh daily in our modern on-site kitchen by a team of a trained cook and mamas who begin preparing food at sunrise. The dining hall, bright and welcoming, is a place of joy—full of chatter, laughter, and the delicious aroma of nourishment.

Meal Program by the Numbers

• 600+ children fed daily, Monday to Saturday

• 2 meals per child per day = 1,800 meals daily

• 10,800 meals per week

• Over 43,000 meals per month

• Over 500,000 meals served per year

These numbers are staggering—but so is the impact.

The Ingredients of Change

Our meal program is designed not only to fill bellies but to build health.

What’s in a typical LLK meal?

• Protein: beans, meat, eggs, milk

• Carbohydrates: rice, maize (ugali), chapati, potatoes

• Vegetables: kale (sukuma wiki), cabbage, carrots, onions, tomatoes

• Fruit: bananas, oranges, mangoes (in season)

• Dairy: milk from our cow and store-bought

• Clean, filtered water available throughout the day

All ingredients are locally sourced—supporting nearby farmers and vendors, reducing cost, and boosting the local economy.

More than Food: Meals as Moments

Meals at LLK are not rushed. They are part of the rhythm of the day.

• Breakfast gives children a calm, healthy start.

• Lunch is eaten together, with gratitude and shared joy.

These shared meals foster friendships, build social skills, and give every child the dignity of being cared for.

For many, this is the special time of day when they feel completely safe and at peace.

Feeding as a Form of Education

The meal program also teaches responsibility and hygiene:

• Children wash hands before every meal.

• They help clean the dining area.

• Older students sometimes assist the cooks and staff—learning about food prep and service.

• Nutrition lessons are integrated into the curriculum.

• Children help grow vegetables in the school garden—learning about farming and self-reliance.

The message is clear: food is not just fuel. It is community. It is learning. It is life.

The Kitchen Team

Behind every plate of food are people who care deeply.

Our dedicated kitchen staff works long hours to ensure every meal is cooked with care. The team includes:

• Cook and Kitchen Manager

• Kitchen assistants (Mamas!)

• Cleaners and helpers for the dining hall

They are the unsung heroes of LLK—always smiling, always ready, always thinking about the children first.

Health Outcomes

Since the full-time meal program was implemented in the year 2001:

• Malnutrition among students has dropped by 85%.

• School attendance has improved dramatically—especially among the youngest children.

• Physical development (height and weight) has normalized for most students.

• Illness has declined, with fewer cases of dehydration, parasites, or anemia.

Food is medicine. Food is stability. Food changes everything.

What It Takes to Feed 600 Children

Feeding this many children, every day, is a massive task—logistically and financially.

Monthly needs include:

• 1.5 tons of rice

• 1 ton of beans

• 700 liters of milk

• Dozens of crates of vegetables

• Cooking firewood, water, and cleaning supplies

It costs roughly €6–10 per child, per month to provide two daily meals.
That’s just €0.40 per day—a small cost for a huge impact.

Feeding with Dignity

At LLK, children are never asked, “Did you pay?”
Meals are provided equally to every child, sponsored or not.

The dignity of the child comes first.

Because hunger should never be a barrier to learning, to growing, or to smiling.

Sponsor a Meal – Feed a Future

We invite you to become part of this miracle.

Whether you are a child sponsor, a supporter, or someone discovering LLK for the first time, you can contribute specifically to the food program.

Ways to help:

• Monthly food sponsorship 

• One-time meal donations

• Corporate support – partner with us to fund an entire month of meals.

• Special events – birthday donations, school fundraisers, or holiday giving.

You can even visit, roll up your sleeves, and help serve the children yourself when the German/American visitors are in Kenya in autumn

What the Children Say

“I love rice and beans the most. At home, we only eat once sometimes. At school, I eat every day and I feel strong.” – Peter, 9

“I want to be a cook one day like the mamas in the kitchen. They make food that makes people happy.” – Faith, 6

“Before I came here, I was always sick. Now I eat vegetables, and I run fast in football!” – Brian, 11

What Visitors Say

“I came to visit the school and saw lunch being served. The children’s faces lit up! I had tears in my eyes. I knew right then—I wanted to help feed them every day.” – Beth, USA

“The kitchen is spotless. The food smells amazing. But what touched me most was the joy. Mealtime here is sacred.” – Brique, Germany

You Are the Reason They Are Full

Without sponsors and supporters, none of this would be possible.
Every bite, every bowl, every clean cup of water comes from you.

You are not just feeding children.
You are feeding minds.
You are feeding dreams.
You are feeding the future of Kenya.

From every full belly, every healthy smile, every clean plate scraped with joy:
Asante Sana – Thank You.

You are the difference.
And together, we are nourishing a brighter future—one meal at a time.