Food Security Kenya Project #48011

Kenya, East Africa Emergency Food Distribution

by Springs of Hope Foundation

Project Report | Feb 26, 2025
Cessation of US AID Program

By Jennifer Hughes Bystrom | Founder/CEO

Recent recipents of our food hampers

Many of you have emailed regarding the recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid, asking whether it has affected the Springs of Hope Foundation’s programs.

Fortunately, thanks to the generosity and unwavering commitment of individual Americans like you, SOHF does not rely on the U.S. government for funding. Instead, you make our programs possible, and we are enormously grateful for the independence and flexibility your support allows us.

Nonetheless, the freeze on U.S. foreign aid profoundly impacts the communities we serve. In Kenya, 80% of the country’s population was living in poverty even before U.S. assistance was cut off. Dozens of international and national aid organizations have had to suspend their operations, making a dire situation worse for millions of Kenyans. SOHF is working with our in-country partners to find ways to address the shortfall in foreign aid and respond to the most pressing unmet community needs. We are experiencing increasing requests for food hamper assistance from the community groups we have worked with for many years. The number of food hampers requested has at least doubled for most groups, and requests for distribution frequency have increased. Because of your continued and generous support over the years, we are able to step up and, so far, not have to say no to any request from a community head of people living with disabilities, HIV/Aids groups, elderly groups, single mothers’ groups, along with communities affected by flood, or disaster.

Our work in these regions is more crucial now than ever. Your funding enables SOHF to continue to assist women and children living in marginalized and underserved communities in Kenya. We cannot thank you enough for your commitment to providing them with education and job opportunities that provide hope for the future and a path forward to a better life. We have many great stories of our graduates’ successes over the years. Among our many spinoff programs are, we have been able to run a free Saturday morning computer lab for high school girls within our community, make and distribute free school uniforms to hundreds of primary-aged children within our community annually, sew and distribute washable, reusable sanitary kits to teenage girls within Nakuru county, sew and distribute washable, reusable child and adult diapers to mothers of disabled children. We’re always able to step up and assist with pre-natal medical care and nutrition whenever we learn of a girl in our community who has not been receiving proper care due to poverty. We currently sponsor 15 girls with school fees and all expenses. At the moment, we have five permanent sponsors for the girls. If you are interested in sponsoring a girl’s education every month, please email me at jenniferhughes@springsofhopefoundation.org

Even with the doubling of food and fuel prices since 2022, we managed to accomplish all of these activities on an annual budget of $30,000 USD. How is that possible, you might ask? Well….there are no administration costs, rent, or salaries in Australia or the US. Everyone associated with the Springs of Hope Foundation voluntarily gives their time and pays their travel expenses, including our governing Australian and USA Board of Directors.

With profound gratitude for your dedication to our mission,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Founder/CEO

Springs of Hope Foundation

Daisy giving food hampers to the elderly

Washable sanitary kits donated to teen girls

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Dec 18, 2024
NYAMARUTU SQUATTERS FOOD HAMPER REPORT

By Esther Wambui | Project administration manager

Today, we had an opportunity to visit the Nyamarutu squatters to distribute food hampers. We successfully handed out sixty-five food hampers to the elderly, single mothers, and widows. This area is a significant challenge.

Nyamarutu is a squatter area and most of its residents have limited access to education. Many adults never complete their schooling due to financial difficulties. As someone who was raised in this community, I deeply understand the hardship they face. Substance abuse is prevalent among some residents making life even more challenging for them.

Many families in the community are affected by HIV which further exacerbates their struggles. These families depend heavily on generous donations from well-wishers for survival.

It is common to find households with six to seven children making it difficult for parents to provide adequate food, clothing, education and care for each child. Our provision of food hampers alleviates some of these difficulties but the challenges remain significant and ongoing.

The distribution of the food hampers went exceptionally well. The community members were overjoyed with our visit and deeply appreciated being remembered during the Christmas season. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to you for sharing what you have with them. It was evident that our efforts had a significant positive impact on their lives.

Additionally, in the area, there is a nursery school called Squatters Hill. This institution provides free education to children who are just starting school. They also run a feeding program to ensure that the children in the area receive at least one nutritious meal a day. Many children have greatly benefited from the sponsorships, enabling them to gain an education and knowledge essential for their future. Unfortunately, during the long, ten week Christmas break the children miss out on what is often the only hot meal they will have daily. Our food hampers during this period have been a lifesaver for these children and their families.

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. You have made a substantial difference.

Warmest regards,

Esther Wambui

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Oct 15, 2024
An update on our weekly food hamper distribution

By Jennifer Hughes | Founder/CEO

The Springs of Hope Foundation is proud to announce the success of our ongoing food hamper distribution initiative in Nakuru County and surrounding counties in Kenya. With a mission to alleviate hunger and provide essential support to the most vulnerable, this program has been a beacon of hope for the elderly, disabled, single mothers, and needy families in our region.

Impact and Reach

Over the past three months since my last update, our dedicated team and volunteers have distributed over 1,000 food hampers, reaching households throughout Nakuru County. Each hamper contains essential items such as maize, beans, fresh greens, and other non-perishable goods. These hampers are designed to provide a family of four with enough food to last for a week, ensuring they have the nutrition they need to stay healthy and strong.

Stories from the Field

The distribution effort has brought to light many heartwarming stories of resilience and gratitude. Mary, a single mother of three, expressed her relief and gratitude upon receiving a food hamper. "I was worried about how I would feed my children, especially with the rising cost of food. This support has come at the perfect time," she shared with tears of joy.

John, an elderly man living alone, was another beneficiary. With no family nearby to support him, the food hamper provided by the Springs of Hope Foundation has been a lifeline. "I feel blessed and less worried about my next meal. This foundation has truly given me hope," John said.

We are so grateful to you, our generous supporters for making our food distributions possible. Whether it’s doing our more significant distributions to the more remote areas of Kenya or just reaching out to 90 of our elderly, disabled, or single moms, our neighbors in the surrounding slums. I would like to say a huge thank you for your generous, continued support of our work at the Springs of Hope Foundation.

Warmest blessings,
Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom

Founder/CEO
Springs of Hope Foundation

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