This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities worldwide, the El-Maawiya Development Group has come to the aid of 170 vulnerable families in Amu Island, Kenya. The group, which sponsors free primary and secondary education for bright and talented children from poor families, has donated foodstuffs worth Kshs 350,000 to support these families through the crisis.
Speaking to KNA, Langoni Chief Ali Haidar praised the initiative, citing the devastating impact of the pandemic on the local economy. Many guardians and parents with children in the school had either been laid off or lost their revenue streams due to the crisis, forcing some children to take up fishing to provide for their families.
El-Maawiya Development Group director Maliha Mohammed explained that the donation was a continuation of the school's feeding programme, which was undertaken despite schools being closed. Teachers from the school have also been undertaking home tutoring for the students, especially candidates, to ensure they do not fall behind in their studies. Additionally, the teachers are being paid their salaries despite schools being closed.
According to Maliha, the organisation is aware of the strain on families' resources and had decided to continue the school feeding programme by contacting and donating directly to the families. The initiative aims to prevent child exploitation and neglect, which have become rampant in Amu Island due to the pandemic.
Community leaders and social workers have echoed the sentiments, calling for more initiatives to support vulnerable families and prevent child exploitation. The county government has been urged to institute a school feeding programme across Lamu to address the issue.
Published on July 5, 2020, by Kenya News Agency.
