China's donations keep Kenya students in school with food in their bellies

Since the pandemic's outbreak, the association has made up to four donations to the school, with more than $ 12,000 worth of goods delivered. Achieng added the support the school receives goes beyond food donations because they also receive regular book donations from the embassy.

"One of the main challenges we face is the fact that since the government introduced a new curriculum, we have had to get the newly recommended books. The book donations are substituting where parents cannot afford books due to job losses. However we still need more books, especially for the new curriculum," she said.

"We would also appreciate if we could get expansion in the number of classrooms because the pandemic requires social distancing, which translates to more space. We do our best to follow government directives on avoiding the spread of the virus but with our limited space, social distancing is a challenge."

Speaking on behalf of her fellow students, 14-year-old Myra Isiche, who is the school's head girl, thanked the embassy for building them a school with modern classrooms, adding that this has granted the school and students an opportunity to achieve their future dreams in life.

"Through the meals you provide, we are able to stay in school and focus on our studies. As you know the saying that goes that 'an empty stomach leads to a disturbed mind' and food is the source of energy. As students in MCEDO Beijing School, we need that energy to help us study and achieve our future dreams," Isiche said.

While handing over the donations, Zhang Yijun, minister counselor at the Chinese embassy in Nairobi, lauded the school for enabling 1,554 to complete their high school studies since 2007, when the school was established. Among these, 889 finished technical college studies and 111 graduated from university and found jobs.