Food support for Kibera's after school Program

Project Elimu is a community-driven Non-Profit Organization registered in Kenya, offering after-school Arts Education and a Safe Space to young people living in Kibera, an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya.

In Kenya, the pandemic resulted in pervasive disruptions across social, economic, and health dimensions in all communities and especially amongst the poor communities living in informal settlements. The safety and mitigation measures implored by Kenyan government such as the dusk to dawn curfews, partial lockdowns and stay at home orders worsened the effects of Covid-19 among adolescent girls.

Project Elimu interacted with beneficiaries from the previous food support implementation who narrated their life experiences during the Covid 19 period not limited to: -

1. High increase of neglect cases amongst the elderly
2. Increased of neglect cases amongst children exposing them to child labor, online abuse and other forms of violence. 
3. High levels of stigmatization from employers who associate the virus with slums.
4. Discrimination and exclusion when it comes to aid against several professions such as community based teachers since they are known to be employed thereby earning salaries whereas many have been out of employment during this period especially those from informal or private schools.
5. Increased vulnerability and exposure to disease and illnesses especially among the population with pre-existing medical conditions such as HIV and AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer etc. 
6. Increase in domestic violence, gender based violence, alcohol and substance abuse due to inability of the beneficiaries to deal with the challenges brought about by Covid 19.
7. Increase mental health issues and particularly depression.

Outcomes

1. 430 families in Kibera were equipped to deal with food shortages and meet their hygienic needs amidst the rapidly changing environment. 
2.  Residents in Kibera have access to vital information on COVID-19 measures, including safety protocols and governmental decrees.
3.  Economic stability to 5 community shops in Kibera that we are directly working  in partnership.
4. We did set up an open Kitchen at the centre that is 

Schools are fully opened for all the grades as well as adjustment of the strict safety measures around social gatherings and curfew hours, a move that is expected to further open up the economy and restore the economic and social activities of the citizens, though with high spikes being projected.

Open Kitchen Program

The open Kitchen was initiated after the COVID 19 lockdown to respond to the emergent need of offering a  worm meal to the students who visited the Centre daily to either conduct their personal studies or attend online classes. Due to the hardships faced at home, the students would request for a meal and others would narrate how they go for a full day without a meal.

 HOW IT WORKED.

The Project has an Open Kitchen where children come to be part of our various programs namely: Ballet Training and Arts Program, Digital Literacy SRHR /Sanitary Towel Distribution Program and Skates Program .They receive trainings at the Centre and after they would prepaire a meal together.

Betweenthe month of March to July 2021 we have been having class eight and grade four students who have been school holiday attending the programs on a daily basis . We currently have been working with 316 children. 

We would have not reached this far if it was not for your continued support. 

Thank you very much. 

Asante sana.

Links:

• FoodSupport Video for our Parents & the sick people within Kibra