My Experience Visiting Primary Schools in Kenya

 By: Bridget Keedwell

I fondly remember writing letters to students in Kenya when I was in elementary school. I had a teacher, Mme. Lydia, who completed a teacher practicum in Kenya with Farmers Helping Farmers. Fast forward many years, now I have the opportunity to visit primary schools in Kenya as a nutrition student. Truly a full circle moment! 

 

At every school, our nutrition team is greeted with an endless amount of waves, high fives and smiles. Getting to meet the students is the highlight of every school visit! The kindness and generosity of students and staff has been incredible and a gift I will always treasure.

 

 

For children, attending school provides two meals a day, typically uji and githeri. One of the projects our nutrition team is working on is to determine the nutritional value of each meal. Our aim is to share our knowledge on nutrition to help enhance the nutritional value of the uji and githeri. Along with recommendations, we always highlight all the positives that every school is doing, such as adding orange and green vegetables to the githeri. Our goal is to emphasize that every small change makes a difference! Collaboration between the school, parents and Farmers Helping Farmers is a key factor in initiating change.  

 

Working as a team with the other nutrition students, Enya and Miriam, has been such a fun and positive experience. Miriam, a nutrition student at Kenyatta University in Kenya, has been so valuable in sharing her knowledge of Kenyan culture with us. Cultural immersion is essential for gaining a global perspective and fostering personal development.  

 

 As nutrition students, we’ve been extremely fortunate to have had Colleen share her wisdom and expertise with us these past few weeks. It’s been a wonderful experience getting to visit schools with her and witness all the amazing projects she’s contributed to. Thank you, Colleen,  for your dedication and guidance!  

 

Thank you to Queen Elizabeth Scholars, UPEI and Farmers Helping Farmers for providing us students with the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experience and become global citizens. 

 

#QEScholars