Source : WAM
Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has unveiled its Ramadan campaign titled “Feed a Child, Build a Kitchen,” drawing on the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Family to rally collective efforts around the shared objective of ensuring no child studies on an empty stomach.
The campaign seeks to support a planet-friendly school meals programme that will commence in Kenya before expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative aims to channel community generosity into sustainable nutrition, expanded opportunities and stronger resilience for children and their families facing hunger and malnutrition.
Its launch comes amid statistics showing that more than 90 percent of children in Africa do not have access to a balanced diet, while 60 percent of children in Kenya experience malnutrition—conditions that directly impact school attendance, concentration and academic achievement.
The programme is built on a comprehensive model focused on establishing climate-friendly community kitchens that deliver daily meals to students, in collaboration with Food4Education in Kenya. This approach promotes sustainable nutrition while reinforcing local systems to provide school meals at scale.
Dr. Tariq Mohammed Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of Dubai Cares, emphasised that student health and nutrition are essential pillars for strengthening education systems. He noted that the model will begin in Kenya and gradually expand across Sub-Saharan Africa through community partnerships that empower farmers, create jobs and strengthen local food systems.
The initial phase will launch in Embu County, where each kitchen is expected to serve 76,000 meals annually to approximately 400 students across 21 rural schools. The programme is also projected to create more than 160 local employment opportunities and support thousands of farmers under a framework designed for long-term scalability.
