Food Baskets for Households in Kenya!

As we begin our 25th year of feeding and helping the kids of Makindu, I cannot help but look back at the incredible accomplishments of Makindu Children’s Program. Thousands of children have been saved from the streets - fed, educated and cared for in supportive homes. They have grown into mature, responsible, employed adults and loving parents. In spite of the constant challenges including poverty, food insecurity, drought and disease, the kids and guardians with Makindu Children’s Center are doing well. Makindu Children’s Program and Children’s Center will continue to stay true to the mission of helping feed, educate and care for the most vulnerable of kids.

FOOD BASKET DELIVERY

Staff continues to work with Kibwezi South Stores to deliver maize, beans, rice and cooking oil to all 320 households on a quarterly basis. Many of these households are 10-25 km from town, often on dirt roads, and so the distribution take logistical organization and teamwork. None of our households own vehicles so guardians and children walk to the distribution areas to collect the food. With famine and drought continuing in the area, food deliveries will remain an important tool to stay healthy.

CENTER MEALS

At the Center, at least 200 children come and eat a nutritious meal daily, with well over 500 children coming on Saturdays.   During the recent holiday break, when kids were home from school, we fed 500 children DAILY. When at the Center, they can also bathe, launder their school uniform, check in with staff, and play with the other kids. The one acre shamba or farm continues to produce vegetables and fruits, irrigated by the solar-powered borehole. These are served at Center meals to supplement nutrition. Tomatoes, chilis, eggplant, and juicy ripe mangoes are always a hit.

Plentiful milk from the dairy cow, Thelma Mae, continues to provide daily calcium and other nutrients to all children who visit the Center. We are excited that Thelma Mae is expecting another calf this spring, a sibling for the young calf Winnie. Again, excess is delivered to the neediest of children and/or sold in the community to help offset costs.

GOATS & CHICKENS

The ongoing goat program, as well as the chicken program implemented last year, provide essential nutrition for all in the households. Each household now has at least two chickens and two goats making protein available daily. The egg is the favored food for kids to carry for school lunch. For some kids, this might be their only meal of the day. The goat milk provides another daily nutritional boost, while maize, beans and cooking oil  delivered quarterly supplement the daily meals. All guardians have completed animal husbandry training.

NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS FOR  IMMUNO-COMPROMISED

Children and guardians on HIV care receive vitamin and mineral supplements to help boost their immune system. They also receive excess produce from the Center’s garden and excess milk from the dairy cow.