Beyond Zero, BAPs Charities Kenya donate food to cushion vulnerable groups

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s Beyond Zero initiative teamed up with BAPs Charities Kenya to donate food to cushion vulnerable groups against the economic effects of COVID-19.

The contribution – which comprised relief packages containing maize flour, beans, salt and mineral water – is part of the Beyond Zero’s intervention in support of the national response against the coronavirus pandemic.

Director of Administration in the Office of the First Lady Eva Maina presented the donation to 14 charity and community based organizations that cater for children with special needs and other vulnerable groups at Acorn Special Tutorials School at Gichungo in Ruthimitu, Nairobi County.

Saying Her Excellency the First Lady is keen to support needy families during the current health crisis, Ms Maina appreciated organizations that have heeded the call to help the vulnerable in the society.

She commended Acorn Special Tutorial School for partnering with families and creating networks that provide the much-needed support to children living with disability and the elderly.

“We are grateful when we get the networks to support and help out. We will continue to work with you to help spread the assistance that is needed especially during these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is also a way of encouraging other partnerships to come forward in this time of need. We pray that it will end soon, but it is important for all of us to do our bit and help our brothers and sisters who need that support,” Ms Maina said.

The 14 organizations that received the donation included the hosts Acorn Special Tutorials Centre, Gichungo Nyumba 10, Crossing Bridges Naivasha, Crossing Bridges Ngong Branch, Sweet Aroma Initiative, Bringing Hope Foundation International and Oloolua

Other beneficiaries were Noongera Rescue Centre, Talia Agler Girls Shelter, Fair Mile School, T21 Families, Global Rehabilitation Centre and Miss Wheelchair 2019 Esther Nyakiuru.

Speaking after receiving the donation, Acorn Special Tutorials School Director Eva Naputuni Nyoike thanked First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Beyond Zero for remembering the vulnerable and reaching out to them with food donations for the second time.

“It is indeed a blessing that the Office of the First Lady and Beyond Zero has remembered us again because this is not the first time, it is the second time. We are so blessed that we have had another opportunity to get some more food,” Ms Nyoike said.

Last month, representatives of nine charity and community based organizations that cater for children living with disability and other vulnerable groups gathered at the same venue and received a donation of bales of uji mix, maize flour and boxes of long life milk from Beyond Zero.

The nine groups also received sanitizers, face masks, salt, bags of sugar, rice and beans, packets of tea leaves, cartons of cooking oil as well as packaging bags.