Nairobi — Kinangop Dairy Limited, a leading processor of quality dairy products, held a social impact event on Friday, July 12, to showcase their feeding program at Nyandarua School for the Deaf. This charitable initiative aims to support students by making their school experience more comfortable and conducive to learning.
Joseph Kega, the deputy headteacher at Nyandarua School for the Deaf, highlighted the program's transformative impact on the learners. Launched in May 2022, the feeding program has significantly improved the school's performance and doubled its enrollment numbers.
"Our partnership with Kinangop Dairy has led to great improvements in both performance and student enrollment. Many students who previously had to stay home due to a lack of school fees are now able to attend school regularly. Kinangop Dairy visits us every two weeks with food supplies, making our school feel more like home for these students," said Kega.
Similar comments were also made by Dishon Mburu, a teacher at the school, observing that since the project began, there has been a significant improvement in the students' level of focus in class, with the majority of students expressing satisfaction and applauding such corporate initiatives.
The feeding program has not only alleviated food insecurity but has also provided a stable learning environment, encouraging more families to send their children to school. Regular food donations ensure that students can focus on their studies without the distraction of hunger, leading to better academic outcomes and overall well-being.
This initiative underscores Kinangop Dairy Limited's commitment to social responsibility and community support, showcasing the powerful impact of corporate partnerships on enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
Kinangop Dairy Limited is distributing milk products, maize, beans, and other food items as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to support the Nyandarua School for the Deaf, which is located near their operations.
"Milk is linked to education and good health for children, so we opted to exclusively support the deaf school because it's closer to Kinangop, and as a company, we value education," said Faith Njeri Gachie, the administration manager at Kinangop Dairy Limited.
According to Shivla Mathenge, the brand assistant at Kinangop Dairy, the company is not only passionate about customers but also passionate about the community at large, which has been a driving force behind supporting that particular school.
The KDL feeding program currently benefits 130 students enrolled at the school. Linet Gitonga, the headteacher, encouraged parents to enroll their children with hearing impairments at the Nyandarua School for the Deaf to benefit from the services offered.
"The school has an enrollment of 133 learners, but we have a capacity for even 500 students. Therefore, I am appealing to all parents who have learners with hearing impairments to come to Nyandarua School for the Deaf because it's a place to be," said Gitonga.
People with disabilities (PWDs) often face stigmatization in the community, hindering their access to equal rights and opportunities. Highlighting the services offered at the school, Gitonga urged parents to enroll their children with hearing impairments and take advantage of the educational opportunities available.
"I know some parents are facing labeling and stigmatization, like being called the father or mother of a deaf child, and they use bad terms for these children. Some parents feel belittled and end up not taking their children to school, but I would tell the parents not to feel shy about bringing their children to these schools. At Nyandarua School for the Deaf, we shall welcome you, counsel you, and make sure you feel at home and comfortable," Gitonga added.
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In addition to providing food items, KDL donated two water tanks to store water for consumption. The organization also expects to expand its support to other schools with similar challenges once their financial capacity grows.
Kinangop Dairy Ltd. (KDL) is a Kenyan company established and incorporated in 1999, originally as Mkulima Creameries Ltd. The company's objective is to buy, process, package, and distribute dairy products using milk sourced from the rich dairy regions of North and South Kinangop.
