Unique nutrition programme boosts student enrolment

By Harold Ayodo

A school nutrition and gardening project started two years ago is bearing fruit.

The programme that involves nutrition lessons and gardening activities has not only improved pupils’ health but also boosted enrolment and retention in schools.

The partnership between schools, Government, World Food Programme and Unilever has seen children left behind by free primary education join school.

"We have 1,038 pupils, a record in a school that was established in 1973 with 12 pupils," says Naikarra Primary School headmaster Loontubu Koileken.

Ms Nosokon Nchoe’s seven children were among millions who stayed away from school even after the introduction of free primary education in 2003 due to poverty.

But after her children fell sick and a doctor diagnosed malnutrition, she enrolled them in Naikarra Primary so that they could benefit from the nutrition and feeding programme.

"The health of my children was deteriorating because of lack of food at home…the cattle we relied on for meat and milk died because of drought," Nchoe says.

Before the introduction of the programme, pupils were malnourished and absenteeism was high.

Enter any classroom at the school and at one corner you will find samples of fruits and vegetables towards that are used during nutrition lessons. But what is most exciting is that some of the food is grown in the school gardens.

The partners initiated the pilot project in Nairobi, Narok North and Narok South following research findings of high malnutrition among pupils in the areas.

Food donations

"Why relied on WFP food donations to support feeding at the start but we now grow some of the food," says Koileken.

The institution, which is in an arid area, diverts water from a nearby protected stream. "We use our generator to pump water to the school and use the same to water our gardens," Koileken says.

Cabbages, kales, pumpkins, watermelons, carrots, maize and bananas are among crops grown. "Students work in the farm between 3.10pm and 4.30pm daily," he says.

The headmaster says a food donation is used to prepare lunch and the farm produce dinner.

WFP public information officer Rose Ogolla says the bulgur wheat and green peas donated for lunch meals are balanced diet. "We ensure food donations meet required nutrients to support an average child per day before the school supplements in the evening," Ogolla says.

Standard Five pupil Linet Tira says meals are among reasons her parents encourage to school. "We are assured of lunch and supper in school…most of us leave home without breakfast as our cattle succumbed to drought," Tira says.

 

 

Read all about: World Food Programme Unilever WFP

 

 

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