Mercy has been a cook at Karbo primary since the ATE school feeding programme began three years ago. She was volunteering as the treasurer of the PTA but was not working until she was informed about the programme and put forward as a cook. Mercy lives with her four children and her husband who is a farmer, growing maize, peppers and groundnuts. Her 11 year old son Richard attends Karbo Primary and Mercy says that her youngest will enrol at Karbo soon too.
Mercy noticed that at first there were only a small number of children attending the school but new students are enrolling all the time. The help from ATE with feeding, uniforms, books and national health insurance has made parents and children very happy. She says that some of the children don’t get to eat before they come to school and some don’t even get to eat in the evening, but since the feeding started the children seem healthier.
To prepare the meals Mercy and the other cooks start preparing the food by 8am. The money for the food comes on a monthly basis and as soon as it arrives the cooks rush to market to buy in bulk and get the best prices they can. They store it securely in the school office and a watchman has been employed to ensure security of the food store since the feeding programme began.
Mercy says she is fortunate to be employed and be paid a monthly wage which she manages as best she can to support the family. She is very happy with the support she and her son receives from ATE and prays it continues.
Written by Leela and Eric