Hope for Kisauni’s St Barnabas Needy Children as Schools Reopen

By Mbungu Harrison

Hundreds of needy children at St Barnabas Children Centre in Kisauni of Mombasa County have received food donation from well-wishers as schools reopen for the first term.

The support of food donations and education assistance from the management of Maasai Restaurants will benefit more than 600 children according to the centre’s founder Harrison Gonah.

He said the initiative has significantly improved school attendance and enrollment at the institution.

Gonah noted that St Barnabas Mission School started in 2010 with only 10 children but has since grown to host over 600 learners due to consistent provision of meals and education support.

“The food they receive here motivates them and helps them concentrate in class. That is why enrollment has continued to increase. Our aim is to offer them quality education so they can become meaningful members of society,” he said.

Located in Kitaruni Village of Utange within Kisauni Sub-county, the center hosts orphans and other needy children drawn from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Most of the children reside at the St Barnabas orphanage, which provides shelter, food and basic welfare services.

Mr Gonah appealed to more well-wishers to support the initiative, saying additional assistance would help improve the children’s lives.

“We are calling upon those with a heart to help to come on board and support these children with food and education so their lives can be uplifted.”

Maasai Restaurants marketing manager Stella Muthoni said the donation was timely, noting that many vulnerable children face challenges especially food at the start of the school year.

She added that the organisation has consistently supported charitable causes, including hosting a charity week last December during which children from St Barnabas benefited.

“As schools reopen, many vulnerable children struggle with basic needs such as food.

This gesture is meant to motivate them and ensure they focus on their studies,” she said.

The children received various foodstuffs and had an opportunity to interact with the well-wishers as part of the charity initiative led by Maasai Restaurants.

Iha Luwali, the company’s sales and marketing manager, said the donation would go a long way in sustaining the orphanage and the school.

“This support gives hope to St Barnabas and helps ensure the children can continue learning without the burden of hunger,” she said.

Mike Ritter, a well-wisher from the United States and a friend of Maasai Restaurants said the gesture would instill hope among the children and help them pursue their dreams.

“These children deserve a chance in life, and supporting them helps keep their dreams and aspirations alive,” he said.