The First Lady Rachel Ruto has received a huge food donation from a delegation of Chinese investors operating in Kenya.
The Chinese Property Developer Association of Kenya delivered 100,000 Kilogrammes of maize flour as well as 100 water tanks to the office of the first lady to support her school feeding programme.
“We are grateful for this donation because it has come at a very good time. From next week, we start counting down to the days of Christmas. And Christmas for us is a season of celebration. We want to be with family and as a community. This is a season where we wish to see everyone celebrate by coming together to eat something,” said the First Lady
“We are not ignorant of the fact that due to the challenges that different communities and different people face, sometimes there is nothing to celebrate in terms of eating. That’s why we are grateful for this donation,” she added
While appreciating the solidarity and cooperation of the Chinese Property Developer Association of Kenya, the First Lady said her office will identify the most needy people to benefit from the food donated by the Chinese investors and others to be donated during the festive season.
“The food donation will support the Mama Feeding programme, which aims to ensure the retention of thousands of school children, especially from informal settlements, while the tanks will enable women to harvest water during the rainy season,” said Mrs. Ruto
Through her Faith Diplomacy department, the feeding initiative has ensured kids receive a bowl of porridge and a balanced diet.
Chinese Property Developer Association Kenya Chairman Zhang Jiaping said they were ready to support the initiative aimed at uplifting needy Kenyans.
“Under the advocacy from our chairman, the association launched a fund-raising activity among all our members and we have raised 100 metric tonnes of maize flour and 100 pieces of 1,000-liter water tanks,” Mr Zhang noted
“We are very pleased to donate this batch of materials to the charity through the organization founded by Your Excellency (First Lady Rachel Ruto) and hoping we can help some of the Kenyans in need,” the Association’s Chair added
Mr Zhang said the association members currently involved in different development works across the country appreciate the noble duties undertaken by the First Lady.
Mrs. Ruto hailed the school feeding program describing it as a success story in the country’s education sector. She said the program has ensured the retention of thousands of school-going children, especially from the informal sector.
She also thanked President William Ruto for giving additional focus to the school feeding program.
“We are very grateful to the Government of President William Ruto for taking over and prioritizing this issue,” she said
“The program makes them healthy and many are retained in our schools,” she added.
