By Jennifer Hughes | Founder/CEO
It's taken a long time to finally feel that all of our community outreach programs are back on track. Our free uniform distribution program to the children in the surrounding slums has, by far, always been my favorite.
School uniforms are mandatory in Kenya, meaning that even if a child goes to school in a hand-me-down, worn-out, thread-bare uniform, he/she is at least in uniform and hopefully not at risk of being sent home.
For the families living in our surrounding slums, a full uniform costs over one month's salary if the mom can find day work doing laundry, cleaning, or seasonal farm work. The basics of a tunic, blouse, sweater, shoes, and socks will cost over $45.00. Add in books and school supplies, plus this expense that has me puzzled: mandatory school lunch fees.
Apart from the initial expense of uniforms and school supplies, some children don't enroll in school in the first place because of mandatory school lunch fees. You can't opt out and bring your own lunch. The parent has to pay approximately a $50.00 fee per term for lunch. We have found ourselves paying arrears in school fees for girls who have been sent home for entire semesters in order to get them back in school.
We visited three schools in January, donating over 90 smart new uniforms to some very happy, proud children. The very happy, proud looks on the children's faces says it all. Thank You So Much.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom
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