The meal they receive at school consists of a mixture of maize and beans, and for many of them this is the only meal they have during the day. The food programme is an essential part of school life; by turning up for school, each child is fed and educated. During the first 1st and 3rd terms, when it is harvest time, the families that have a good harvest contribute maize and beans to the school and this is sufficient to provide the meal. It is in the second term when maize and beans are very scarce that we rely on the funds that are generously sent to us from Ireland.” ‘A success story indeed’ Sister Lily, of our congregation ‘The Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph’, looks after the funds and arranges the purchase of bags of maize and beans, at a cost of around 2000 Euros a year. She also pays the lady who cooks the food. With the number of pupils increasing from 300 fifteen years ago to 940 at present, the cost of providing the food has greatly increased. Over the years, a substantial amount of money came from fund raising activities at Dripsey National School, County Cork. While the amount being raised now is less than previously, Dripsey School still contributes some money. Much of the money for the food programme now comes from donations received by the Mill Hill Missionaries and donations from the family and friends of Fr. Jim O’Connell.
Improved performance When I visited the School in November 2019, it was holiday time, but there was a teacher on duty and he confirmed what the School Principal and the Mill Hill priest had said earlier. He told me “The food programme is great as most of the families are very poor and have little food at home. The performance of the children in the school has improved. This means the school is performing well in the state exams and is now one of the leading primary schools in the Province.”
I am convinced that the food programme is ‘a success story indeed’
St. Lily fmsj with Penina who cooks the lunch
Sister Lily fmsj (on the right) at the school
Maize and beans for lunch
A Mill Hill priest who visited Ebukuya School said “The food programme is a success story indeed! On my visit, I encountered a high energy level and renewed vigour among pupils and staff. Indeed a significant conversion and transformation from the early days. All of this is evident in new and renovated classrooms and much improved performance in examinations. The food programme is a central part of school life. It is not surprising that the School is attracting more and more pupils; this accounts for the huge increase in the numbers in the school and in the food programme. The funds for the food programme are being used to great effect. I found my visit to the school most encouraging.”
During my visit, I also met the cook, Penina, who is a widow with 6 children. The money she gets for cooking the food is helping her to look after her children. Her eldest girl has just finished primary school and done well, but Penina is worried about how she will pay the secondary school fees. I promised to help find money to pay the fees.
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Autumn 2020
Autumn 2020
I am convinced that the food programme is ‘a success story indeed’ – as mentioned above. 19
