Ubuntu Life Student Food Program
Last week we launched a food program for our special needs students and their families that are most in need during this time of uncertainty. Initially we were able to bundle up the remaining food at the school that is used for daily school lunches and morning porridge which we labelled with each student’s name and left at the front office for ‘curbside pickup’ at the school.
We are committed to helping these families weather the next 2-3 months of crisis, so we identified the needs for these families in order to keep them from going into crowded markets and stores when there is little faith in the true number of COVID-19 infections in our region. Every 2 weeks we will be supplying food for these families as well as diapers for those in need.
The cost for running this program which will give critical support to our students and their families during this crisis is only $630/month. We are hoping to raise enough funds to keep the program going for at least April and May, and we hope that our Tribe can help us reach this goal. It truly takes a global village and we are thankful for the LOVE that is shared for our families in Kenya.
Morning Wimbi Porridge: A Side Love Note
You might notice the bags of porridge in the photo of food being packed up for our families. A staple in many diets around the world, millet is the main ingredient and is considered an ancient grain - it grew wild in Africa for centuries before being cultivated by man. It looks like little yellow pellets of bird seed but it cooks up into a tender grain that has a mild corn flavor.
In addition to being nutrient-rich, it offers numerous heart-protective properties. A cup of cooked millet contains about 207 calories with over 6 grams of protein, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and less than 2 grams of fat. It is rich in minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium as well as essential vitamins like folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and Vitamins B6, C, E, and K. Our porridge that we feed the children also has added calcium for an extra boost.
Many of the most powerful health benefits the porridge has to offer are related to its fiber content. The students’ morning porridge serving supports healthy and regular digestion, can help resolve issues like diarrhea, boosts liver and kidney function, and has a touch of sweetness to keep our kiddos energized throughout the day.