LVLC feeding children physically, mentally, and spiritually
In 2007, Chipo Makaya started to go to Mji Wa Huruma to teach the Bible to children at a nursery school Tumaini Nursery. At that time, she realized that the children were not comprehending as much as her own daughter, who was the same age. The Makayas visited friends and supporters in the US and shared the vision to start a library for Mji wa Huruma kids. The objective of the library was to provide after-school English reading and writing remedial lessons and to encourage the kids to love reading.
Upon their return to Kenya in 2008, Liberty Visions Learning Centre (LVLC) had their first library intake of 6 children on Saturday mornings and one pre-school teacher who worked half time. LVLC quickly changed from Saturday mornings to Monday through Friday afternoons in order to get better results and to accommodate more kids.
With time, Liberty Visions recognized the need to have the kids for longer. This led to the decision to start a full-time school. It was agreed that this would be done in three major phases; Kindergarten (pre-school), lower primary, and upper primary over eight years. September 2009 saw the first kindergarten class.
LVLC has made long strides academically, spiritually, and socially. There are reports from parents that the kindergarten students are praying at home and teaching their older siblings the songs we sing in school.
Increased enrollment meant a greater financial burden on the Makayas and so during the family's fundraising visit to the US in 2012, a child sponsorship program was launched. The program achieved some level of success; forty children are currently sponsored at $30 per month. The pledged support is currently not consistent, fluctuating from month to month, but the organization is working on building up a solid program of local and international child sponsors. The sponsorship enables us to give the children one snack a day, one meal a day, one uniform per year, stationery, and pay teachers' salaries. The school is now up to 13 staff members and 149 students.
Nutrition and learning go hand in hand. That is why Midwest Food Bank East Africa provides food to schools. Offering a nutritious meal means students are able to listen and learn more effectively.
One of those schools is Liberty Visions Learning Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. MFB East Africa recently provided Tender Mercies, a fortified rice and beans meal product, and Uni-mix and enriched maize and bean flour mixture to Liberty Visions Learning Centre.
"The Tender Mercies and Uni-mix from KAPU go a long way in feeding LVLC families in the Mji waHuruma slum where we serve," says Chipo Makaya, founder of the school. "May the Lord richly bless you for the kindness you have shown to us and meet your deepest needs."
To assist efforts through MFB East Africa, click here.
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