By Ellen Daniels-Howell | Project Leader
Last month, Jacob, an Umoja Project student who completed high school in 2011, completed teacher training. He now is eligible for a teaching appointment through the Kenya Teachers Service Commission. As the primary provider for his five younger sisters and brothers, a teaching appointment will provide the family more financial stability than they have ever had before.
When Jacob was in primary school, he never dreamed that he could become a teacher someday. In fact, because the family rarely had food, Jacob was not confident he would be able to complete primary school before needing to drop out to find work. It was the school lunch program that began the transformation in Jacob’s life. With a regular meal for himself and his siblings, Jacob was able to continue in school. He was a good student, and did well enough on his exams that he was accepted into teacher training college.
The school lunch program is even more critical for his siblings in the last few months since their mother died. In a recent letter, Jacob says:
My siblings still enjoy the lunch program. This has helped me a lot as we are now total orphans. They are spending most of their time in school due to this feeding program. Also the program has reduced the emotion of being lonely at home and nourishing in poverty. This is because they spend most of their moments with their fellow students at school.
To wrap it up, the program extended the life span of my deceased beloved mother. She had been ailing for a long period and she could no longer go out to look for us food effectively. Umoja lunch program took care of us.
Now Jacob’s dream is to support other students as he was supported. He knows the impact a regular bowl of maize and beans can have on a family’s life.
You were a part of the transformation of this young family! Your donations to the school lunch program were critical for Jacob, and continue to help his brothers and sisters. On behalf of Jacob’s family, and many others in similar situations, we thank you for your generous support.
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