Nourishing learners. Supporting farmers. Strengthening communities.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential.
Lisha Kwa Maarifa is Rural Family Hope’s school feeding initiative, designed to address short-term hunger and malnutrition among school-going children while supporting better educational outcomes and building stronger local food systems.
By bringing together schools, communities, partners and local farmers, the programme seeks to create a sustainable model in which better nutrition contributes to better learning and investment in children also creates opportunities within the communities they call home.
The Challenge
Hunger should never stand between a child and an education.
For many children in vulnerable rural communities, access to consistent and nutritious meals remains a challenge.
Hunger and poor nutrition can affect a child’s ability to participate fully in school and concentrate on learning. They can also place additional pressure on families already experiencing economic vulnerability.
Lisha Kwa Maarifa was established to respond to this challenge by making school meals part of a broader approach to supporting children, families and communities.
Rather than viewing nutrition and education as separate issues, RFH recognises the important relationship between the two.
When children are nourished, they are better positioned to participate in their education and pursue their potential.
Our Response
More than a school meal.
Lisha Kwa Maarifa is designed to contribute to improved access to nutritious school meals while creating a foundation for a sustainable, locally driven school feeding model.
RFH’s stated programme objectives include increasing school enrolment and attendance, reducing dropout, supporting children’s attention and learning capacity, and increasing market access for rural smallholder farmers.
The long-term vision is therefore bigger than feeding children.
It is about creating a system where:
Children are nourished.
Learners are supported.
Schools become stronger.
Farmers gain opportunities.
Communities become more resilient.
How Lisha Kwa Maarifa Works
01. Supporting School Nutrition
Nutritious school meals help address short-term hunger and malnutrition among learners, creating a stronger foundation for their participation in education.
02. Supporting Education
The programme seeks to increase school enrolment and attendance, reduce dropout and support children’s ability to concentrate and learn. RFH Company Profile (1)
03. Strengthening Local Food Systems
RFH’s longer-term model is designed to connect school feeding with local agricultural production by sourcing food from smallholder farmers and local suppliers. RFH Company Profile (1)
04. Building Community Resilience
By connecting nutrition, education and local agriculture, Lisha Kwa Maarifa seeks to create benefits that extend beyond the school and contribute to stronger, more self-reliant communities.
Where We Work
Working with schools and communities where support can make a difference.
Kisii County
- Sosera Comprehensive School
Nyamira County
- Nyansiongo DEB
- Simbauti Comprehensive
- Tindereti Comprehensive
Homa Bay County
- Nyoniang’ Comprehensive
Migori County
- Awendo Comprehensive
- Get Comprehensive
Our Vision for Lisha Kwa Maarifa
The long-term opportunity for Lisha Kwa Maarifa is to strengthen the relationship between local agricultural production and school nutrition.
RFH’s profile describes an ambition to transition towards a homegrown school feeding model where food is purchased from local smallholder farmers and suppliers.
That creates a compelling cycle:
A nourished child can focus on tomorrow.
Together, we can help create communities where children have the nutrition, education and opportunities they need to thrive.
Support Lisha Kwa Maarifa
Partner With Rural Family Hope