In September, I was very excited to visit our projects in Kenya and Tanzania, for the first time since Covid … and I was not disappointed!

My time in Kenya began with a visit to St Patrick’s School in Thika - this was the very first school we worked with to supply a daily mug of porridge to the children back in 2006. As we have said before, porridge led to attendance rates rising and by the end of the first year the children’s exam results and achievements were much improved.

Happily, the school has continued to progress, and it was amazing to compare the differences between my first visit and this one. The children are happy, lively and healthy; the classrooms are brighter with posters on the walls and text books in evidence. The teachers were happy and ambitious for the children in their care. This school perfectly illustrates the effectiveness of the porridge programme in helping children get the best out of their education.

Next, I visited three of the new schools Watoto Kwanza is working with to supply porridge and sanitary wear. The needs of these schools are great; some of the children show signs of malnutrition, some don’t have shoes, some are still cooking over an open fire, and one has to collect water from the river. But I am confident, that Watoto Kwanza’s programme will help them make the same advances as at St Patrick’s.

Thanks to everyone who donated stationery items for me to take. I filled a whole suitcase with them and they were very much appreciated by the children and teachers when we shared them out during our school visits.

I also saw a HUGE transformation at Joy’s School and Home. The gate to the Centre looked the same (with an added lick of paint), but when I opened it and went inside – WOW! I was completely blown away.

The new classrooms and toilets have made an amazing difference and Sarah has made the whole area look attractive with grass and plants. It was lovely to see the nursery class sitting on the grass outside learning how to thread beads. The support we give to Sarah is obviously well used and incredibly effective!

Overall, my trip was extremely positive and inspirational. I saw proof that the funds we send are well used and are making a real difference to the lives of children. I also saw great need and realise that there are many more children who can benefit from our projects.

Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without your donations and support. Thirteen year old Lydia, a pupil at one of our new porridge schools told me that she is amazed that people who have never met her or visited her school, have the heart to give them porridge and sanitary wear. She asked me to send you all her heartfelt thanks. I would like to also add my thanks – without you, my visit would not have been so wonderful!