Being curious about the visitors
They say education is key to success, but to this woman and her children; education remains the closest thing to receiving their daily meal. On our visit to Nakwei center in Turkana, on February 11th, 2021, we are privileged to meet this amazing woman sleeping on the school corridors with her four children. At first glance, I am tempted to think that she is probably relaxing after few hours of engaging the young children at school.
Well when I later get the opportunity to talk to our field worker, Mr. Ekiru it’s all a different story. In Turkana households rarely get food to have for lunch as a result of the area is a dessert with the locals depending on food aid to feed their children. The prolonged lack of food has made many come up with new ways to get food without having their children stay out of school.
When one of her eldest children leaves for school in the morning, the woman and the rest of her children who are yet to start school escorts the child to school. This happens such that when the meals are served the rest of the family get the chance to have 10 o’clock tea and lunch at the school. Thanks to our ECAN-CRF feeding program in Turkana, one family is assured of a meal at least once a day.
She can still afford to smile
At the time of leaving Nakwei, I am impressed that a family will continue to thrive as long as ECAN-CRF continues to sponsor the children with both education and food. However, what becomes of the family during the weekend when there are no classes or even in the evening. Where do they get food for supper or something to sustain them when the school closes its doors for the weekend? It is my prayer and hope that the Turkana community will find a lasting solution in the end. But for now thanks to ECAN-CRF for the little that the woman and his children go by.
