Over 20,000 Students in Alego Usonga Benefit from Food Donation Program

 More than 20,000 students from 47 mixed-day secondary schools in Alego Usonga Constituency have benefited from a food donation program aimed at reducing school dropouts and teenage pregnancies while improving academic performance.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya in partnership with Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Samwel Atandi, targets learners from vulnerable households facing challenges such as poverty, flooding, and food insecurity. The donated food items include maize, beans, cowpeas, and cooking oil, which are being used to support school feeding programs.

According to Ben Willis, an officer with the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, the program was designed to keep students in school by addressing hunger, a major contributor to absenteeism and poor performance. He noted that since the program began, schools have recorded improved class attendance and better academic outcomes.

“Our goal is to eradicate teenage pregnancies and school dropouts by creating a supportive learning environment,” Willis said, adding that the results so far have been encouraging.

Alego Usonga Constituency Manager Maurice Owuor confirmed that food distributed in October last year has had a noticeable impact across schools. He said learners are now more settled and focused, leading to improved discipline and performance. Owuor further observed a significant reduction in teenage pregnancies, terming the initiative a “game changer” that has enabled more students to attain direct university entry after completing their examinations.

Siaya Sub-County Director of Education Maurice Saka emphasized the importance of the program in easing the financial burden on parents, many of whom struggle to provide daily meals for their children. He explained that the feeding program has helped curb cases where students drop out of school to seek income through fishing or mining to support their families.

School administrators have also welcomed the initiative. Principals from institutions such as Mwer Principal Secondary School and Dark Alison Senior Secondary School reported notable improvements in academic performance. One school recorded an increase in its KCSE mean grade from 4.0 to 5.7 in the most recent examinations.

The Child Welfare Society of Kenya has announced plans to expand the program to other regions, including Keiyo South in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Mogotio in Baringo County, and Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County starting next week, as part of its broader efforts to enhance education and student welfare nationwide.