GRA Feeding Programmes are vital at this time as food insecurity and rising food prices threaten life in rural Kenya. GRA feeds over 1,200 students every day in our Primary School Feeding Programmes. These feeding programmes have been vital for the schools since the Government of Kenya and local leaders proclaimed a national crisis in 2009 as 10 million people (nearly a third of the country’s population) became affected by famine and food instability. All the schools under the GRA feeding programme are located in the regions that have been adversely affected by famine and drought.

GRA provides lunch – a proper meal consisting of maize, rice and beans to over 1,200 pupils in four primary schools. The schools currently in our Programmes are Kiukuni Primary School, Miting'ani Primary School, Utaati and Makuli Primary School.

The Feeding Programmes are run on a very tight budget as we deal with ongoing challenges of rising food prices and climate change. The rising food prices around the world affect us all but for communities in rural, rising food prices are a survival threat. As prices for most staple foods have doubled, it means that people are pushed further below the poverty line.

Utaati primary school is situated in Okia division, in Makueni District with approximately 450 pupils and only 9 teachers. It is located in a semi arid area where agricultural activities are poor. Approximately, €3,900 will feed Utaati Primary school for one year.

In all the schools, the average results and attendance rates have been improving dramatically since we began our feeding programmes. The teachers make a direct correlation between the food provided by GRA programmes– school attendance – attention – school results – and general health. For example, in Miting'ani Primary School, the average results have increase by 15-20%. The teachers, parents and student are so proud.

Context:
The Government of Kenya and local leaders proclaimed a national crisis on January 16 2009, with 10 million people (nearly a third of the country's population) being affected by food instability. Some areas in the Coast, Central, North Eastern and Eastern provinces are depending on relief food for survival. The food crisis has been attributed to severe drought, consecutive years of poor rainfall, displacement and damage to crops caused during the post-election violence (2008). These national factors have been further compounded by the international food and oil crisis and coincide with the global financial crisis and the ongoing challenges of climate change.

The founder of GRA, Maria Butler, spoke at the GRA Ball 2008 about the severe effects of rising food prices on rural families. Since the GRA Ball, the situation has deteriorated in rural Kenya and the negative impacts have spread widely. At this time more than ever before, Kenya needs support in terms of volunteering and resources.  The government pledges have not reached all communities and the rural marginalized communities where GRA’s projects are based remain particularly vulnerable.