NGO LAUNCHES FOOD PROGRAMME IN WAKISO

Feb 24, 2009

SINCE she joined Kisimbiri Church of Uganda Primary School, Annette Namutebi was dodging classes, especially the afternoon lessons. Why? She had to ‘hunt’ for something to eat.

By Aidah Nanyonjo

SINCE she joined Kisimbiri Church of Uganda Primary School, Annette Namutebi was dodging classes, especially the afternoon lessons. Why? She had to ‘hunt’ for something to eat.

But that has come to pass. Nutricare Uganda, a non-governmental organisation, has launched a project to feed the pupils of Kisimbiri. Sh37m has been invested in the project.

Beatrice Kyewalabye, the headteacher, says absenteeism was rampant before the programme was introduced.

With funding from a UK-based organisation, Hippo Charity and support from the East Africa Basic Foods, Nutricare will implement the project at Kisimbiri for a year. If the pilot project succeeds, it will be extended to 30 schools in Wakiso district.

Under the programme, pupils are given porridge at break and lunch time. Pupils in lower classes take their portion at break, while those in upper primary take theirs at lunch. Robert Ssewankambo, the programme manager, says the programme can help keep pupils in school until the holidays.

Nutricare has also established a demonstration garden in the school, where soya beans and maize have been planted to solve food insecurity.

“Pupils are taught to plant crops so that if we pull out, the programme can continue and be sustained by the school and the parents,” he adds.

The programme acts as an incentive to persuade parents to enroll and keep their children in school.

Margaret Nantongo, the inspector of schools in Wakiso, says feeding remains a challenge to the Government.

“The Universal Primary Education programme states that parents should feed their children. The Government’s work is to provide teachers books and other scholastic materials,” she says.

A fundraising drive was launched and parents contributed to buying saucepans, cups and jerrycans to boost the programme.

Statistics at the education ministry show that about 50% of pupils in Uganda shun school because of hunger and other related costs borne by the parents. These include scholastic materials, uniforms, registration and monthly test fees.

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