Student population at Nyandarua School for the Deaf has increased since the introduction of a free feeding programm, head teacher Linet Gitonga has said.
Gitonga said the institution now has a population of 133 learners, up from 118 after the feeding programme was introduced by Kinangop Dairies Limited (KDL).
She regretted that some parents are still hidding their children at home instead of tking them to school because of their disability.
“I know some parents are facing labeling and stigmatisation. They use terrible terms on these children and some parents feel belittled and they end up not taking their children to school,” she said.
Gitonga noted that her institution offers counseling to the parents as they navigate nurturing children who are abled differently.
She said the children can excel in life just like any other child.
“I have seen children who have excelled and I urge the community to love these children and help these parents gain esteem by showing them love,” the head teacher said.
Deputy head teacher, Joseph Kaiga, said KDL brings foodstuffs to the school on Fridays every two weeks.
“The food has made a big impact because this being a special school many of the learners are needy and can’t even afford fees. Once they struggle to pay fees, definitely the school will have a challenge providing them with food,” he said.
Kaiga encouraged parents with children who are abled differently to bring them to school despite fees challenges because of the availability of free food.
“When more parents heard the school had free food and no pressure on fees, more learners were enrolled,” he said.
Kaiga noted that the learners are also given fruits through the feeding programme.
Class teacher Dishon Mburu said school is the second home of a learner adding that satisfaction must be key to ensure learners feel at home.
He said when the learners know they will be satisfied in school, they feel better and concentrate better in class.
Kinangop Dairies Limited called on more corporate organizations to support schools’ feeding programmes in a bid to bridge the gap left by the government.
HR and Administration manager, Faith Njeri Gachio, said the organization started supporting Nyandarua School for the Deaf in May 2022, and since then, they have supported the learners with food throughout the year.
Gachio noted that milk is linked to education and good health in children.
“Currently we only support this deaf school, but as our financial muscle grows, we hope to expand our support to more institutions,” she said.
Gachio said though the children may not have heard their words of love, she is sure they have felt the love through their actions.
She noted that recently, some schools were forced to close for Second Term early due to lack of food, pointing out the key role food plays in learning.