Poverty in our country is rife, denying millions of people basic needs like food, education, and healthcare. Among those softening the situation in different areas are charity organizations through initiatives like feeding and empowerment programs to improve the living conditions of the underprivileged.
One such initiative is Jewell Souls Hope Foundation, a charity organization that runs a feeding and education program for children in Gatong’ora area in Ruiru. We spoke to Caroline Ndung’u, the program manager about their operations, impact, and dreams for the future.
The initiative offers one meal daily to the children of Gatong’ora, and sometimes parents. It was started by a group of single mothers, to support other single mothers who are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Deserving beneficiaries are identified with the help of the community, especially Nyumba Kumi who know the ins and outs of the area. The center currently has 62 children under its wings, with another 20 on the waiting list who will be absorbed with time as resources improve.
Towards education, the foundation offers learners school fees, books, writing materials, school bags, and scholarships. They also facilitate scholarships through their partners and presently have 10 children in different schools. Those who go on to pursue TVET courses try their hand at hairdressing and welding among other careers.
The initiative which started in 2015 by feeding street families and distributing food hampers in homes now has a rental place to call home and to make operations easier. Aside from children, they also support the elderly and sickly with food hampers and have a free sanitary towels program for the girls in the area. To top it all up, Jewell Souls Foundation gives beneficiaries clothes, so they stay clean, presentable, and dignified.
Jewell Soul’s impact on the community is immense and the community loves them right back. Nutritional diseases like ringworms are a thing of the past, as are cases of children eating from waste bins or stealing food from shops and markets. Children concentrate more in school since hunger is one of the most prominent impediments to learning. This way, the foundation is playing its part towards a well-rounded society with healthy educated children.
We were at the home courtesy of Rockey Africa Limited, one of the partners who often come through with donations for the feeding center. Some of their donations are the energy-saving jiko that is currently in use, computers, books, food, and clothes. The most recent pledge that took effect on that Saturday is money to sustain the feeding program for four months. Rockey also runs a program in Kawangware where they empower the youngsters in the area through basketball.
Other partners are community well-wishers, companies, chamas, churches, the Ruiru Hindu Temple, and the Indian community from the Westlands area. As of now, the facility has run without any international donors.
The biggest and most urgent dream for the Jewell Souls Hope Foundation is to have a library to improve the reading culture among children. There are books alright, kids do not take them home. Therefore, the only alternative is to read from the facility and there is hardly any space. The reading area is some stones under a tree, doubling as a dining area. The home is urgently appealing for two 40-foot containers to convert into a library and a dining room.
We wish the foundation all the very best, and many blessings for the heartwarming work they are doing for the children of Gatong’ora.