Brighter Futures: How the LUH Feeding Program Fueled Academic Success at Iseuri Primary School
In the heart of Kajiado Central, a small primary school named Iseuri was grappling with a significant educational challenge. The students, predominantly from the Maasai community, were facing severe malnutrition and lack of energy due to the pervasive poverty exacerbated by a harsh two-year drought that had ravaged the region. The livelihoods of the indigenous pastoralist community had been severely impacted, leading to food insecurity and financial strain, with most families unable to provide even the most basic necessities for their children, let alone afford school fees. Compounding this bleak situation was the tough journey undertaken by many of the learners to reach the school, often trekking more than 5 kilometers daily. This resulted in limited opportunities for the students to return home for a meal during lunchtime, further worsening their nutritional needs. As parents and guardians sought far-off lands in search of pastures for their livestock, leaving behind their children and the elderly without adequate care, the educational prospects of the students at Iseuri Primary School were bleak, with declining academic performance and low retention rates becoming the norm. However, a beacon of hope shone upon the school when Light Up Hope, in partnership with Seeds of Change, initiated a feeding program in Kajiado County.
This program sought to address the nutritional needs of students in the region, including those at Iseuri Primary School, by providing nutritious meals on a daily basis. The meals, incorporating essential food items such as maize, beans, fruits, eggs, cooking oil, and salt, aimed to not only satiate hunger but also provide the energy required for optimal learning and academic success. The impact of the Light Up Hope feeding program was profound and far-reaching. Students at Iseuri experienced a remarkable transformation in their academic performance, with an enhanced focus in class, improved attendance rates, and a newfound enthusiasm for learning. The stark contrast from previous years, marked by hunger-induced absenteeism and poor academic outcomes, highlighted the pivotal role that nutrition plays in shaping educational success.
In the wake of the end-of-year exams, the results spoke volumes of this positive change. Iseuri Primary School achieved a notable mean score of 276.64 in the 2023 KCPE exams, a remarkable improvement from the previous year's score of 226.05, signifying a positive deviation of 50.57. This exceptional achievement called for a special thanksgiving event to celebrate the outstanding performance of the students, a testament to the collective efforts of the school community and the transformative impact of the feeding program. Gathered at the school grounds were parents, teachers, community members, LUH staff, and local leaders, all united in honoring the students' hard work and dedication. The Thanksgiving event served as a platform to acknowledge the pivotal role of the feeding program in supporting the student's academic success, with heartfelt expressions of gratitude from parents for the tangible difference it had made in their children's lives.
During the event, speeches lauded the students' achievements and underlined the critical role played by the LUH feeding program in fostering a conducive learning environment. The headteacher of Iseuri Primary School, Mr. Peter Namasaka, conveyed his profound appreciation to all who supported the school and its students, emphasizing the indispensable nature of nutritious meals in bolstering academic performance. The Thanksgiving event at Iseuri Primary School encapsulated the essence of community solidarity and collaborative effort in advancing education. It served as a poignant reminder of the inherent potential within every child when provided with the necessary opportunities and resources, underscoring the transformative impact of initiatives such as the Light Up Hope feeding program in breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering young learners to reach their full potential. (Lighting a path out of poverty)
