Emergency Family Relief Food and Nutrition Support

Introduction: The Emergency Family Relief Food and Nutrition Program is dedicated to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) – Zero Hunger by 2030. Our mission is to ensure that every child and family in Kangemi and its surrounding areas has access to nutritious food. We implement a range of projects including onsite children feeding, family food distribution, PRELACT (Pregnant and Lactating Mothers Training), children assessment, microgreens production, home gardening, and community nutrition training.

Program Highlights (2024):

• Meals Served: 7,786 meals were provided (including the December session), surpassing the previous year’s record.
• Increased Reach: The rise in the number of children participating demonstrates the program's growing impact and effectiveness.
• PRELACT Focus: This year, the program targeted pregnant and lactating mothers, especially teenage mothers with limited knowledge about child nutrition and welfare. Through collaboration with public hospitals, private clinics, and local authorities, we mobilized and trained 17 out of 35 registered mothers.
• Child Assessment: A total of 105 children were assessed for malnutrition, with 17 cases identified. This was a reduction compared to 2023, where 27 malnutrition cases were found among 374 children. Due to resource constraints, interventions focused on counseling caregivers on nutrition.
• Microgreens Project: Launched in September 2024, this new initiative by the NGAO alumni group aims to enhance community nutrition through microgreens. Early results include three successful samples delivered to customers. However, the project awaits the completion of its dedicated growing space.

Challenges Faced in 2024:

• Family Food Distribution: No family food distribution took place throughout the year.
• Assessment Limitations: Due to a lack of assessment tools, only one round of child assessments was conducted.
• Space Constraints: There is inadequate space for feeding activities, especially during rainy seasons.
• Data Collection: Inefficient data collection methods resulted in inaccuracies in our database.

Goals Moving Forward:

1. Enhance Hunger Mitigation Efforts: Continue driving towards SDG2 by expanding existing projects.
2. Increase Community Outreach: Engage more community members through awareness campaigns and health-focused initiatives.
3. Improve Project Standards: Refine project delivery methods to ensure maximum community impact.
4. Establish Additional Feeding Locations: Open another feeding location at Kangemi's bottom line, with food prepared in a central kitchen.
5. Volunteer Support: Recruit and retain four dedicated volunteers with a small monthly stipend.
6. School Feeding Partnerships: Collaborate with informal schools to provide school feeding programs, promoting education and nutrition.
7. Acquire Nutrition Tools: Procure assessment tools to conduct regular child nutrition assessments.
8. Develop Training Curriculum: Create a comprehensive nutrition training curriculum.
9. Strengthen Collaboration: Engage county officials, healthcare facilities, and organizations for joint community events.
10. Data Accuracy: Implement more effective data collection methods to ensure accurate record-keeping.

Acknowledgments: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our donors and partners. Special thanks to the Prodigal Preacher International (PPI) team for their continued support and for visiting the onsite feeding project this year. Your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in our community.

Together, we are working to end hunger and build a healthier, more resilient future.

The NGAO Foundation extends its deepest gratitude for your generous donation. Over the last quarter, we embarked on a vital mission to support one of the most overlooked and neglected communities—those struggling with alcohol addiction. Often disregarded by society as careless or wasteful, these individuals face immense difficulties in their journey to recovery. With your support, we were able to reach out to this community, helping restore their dignity and sense of belonging.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Group Formation

Understanding that recovery requires a supportive environment, we formed an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group. This platform offered individuals an opportunity to share their personal experiences, the hardships they face in quitting alcohol, and the emotional and dietary challenges they encounter. By providing a safe space to connect with others on the same journey, we rekindled a sense of community and self-worth for these individuals. The group also celebrated the beauty of family life, as members played games, shared meals with their children, and rediscovered the importance of togetherness.

Celebrating the NGAO Alumni Group

In addition to our work with the AA group, we celebrated our NGAO Alumni group—energetic young men and women who have benefitted from our programs. The NGAO Alumni launched a food security initiative known as “TECH Farm,” focusing on planting microgreens. This project not only fights food insecurity in the community but also creates employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth. Microgreens, rich in nutritional value, are helping to improve the diets of the children we serve.

Board Visit and Community Engagement

In the same quarter, we had the privilege of hosting our board members for a two-week visit. During their stay, the board engaged in open discussions, deliberations, and planning sessions, all aimed at increasing support for vulnerable children in the community. The board members were deeply impressed by the work on the ground and expressed their gratitude to our donors, whose generosity makes our daily operations possible.

As part of their visit, the board members joined our team in preparing meals for the children. Together, they cooked, served, and ate with the children, reaffirming the quality of food we provide. The experience highlighted the importance of community involvement and the direct impact of our work.

Teen Health and Nutrition Talks

During the August school holiday break, we organized several health and nutrition talks for the teen girls and boys in our community. With the help of the Thika School of Health and Medical Sciences, we addressed critical issues such as hygiene, nutrition, and overall well-being. These sessions were well-received by the teens, and they contributed significantly to raising awareness about maintaining good health practices.

Daily Community Meal Support

We also continued to facilitate meals for the children in the community, supported by visiting guests and friends of The NGAO Foundation. These meal-sharing moments fostered deeper connections between the children and our supporters, creating a sense of family and unity.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Microgreens Initiative

Looking to the future, we are excited to expand the microgreens initiative led by the NGAO Alumni group. This project has proven to be an excellent source of nutrition for our feeding program, and we plan to grow additional varieties such as pea shoots, radishes, sunflowers, onions, and chia seeds. These microgreens will be a valuable addition to the meals we provide, boosting both their nutritional content and flavor.

Conclusion

To our donors, we cannot thank you enough. Your support is the lifeblood of our work, making all that we do in the community possible. We are committed to continuing our mission to uplift the most vulnerable, provide nourishment, and foster lasting change. As we expand the microgreens project and strengthen our programs, we hope to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.