Kiwari Primary School

Kiwari is a small fishing village on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria, home
to the Suba people. The village has about 100 homes and more than 300
residents. Fishing once sustained the community, but overfishing has greatly
depleted fish stocks. Many families now rely on subsistence farming to meet
their needs.

The island has no hospital or industries. With fishing depleted and rocky
soil and mountainous terrain making subsistence farming difficult, families
struggle to provide daily necessities. Only three people from Kiwari’s
previous generation have graduated and gone on to what the community calls
“making it.”

Hear from one of them
.

The future of the next generation is at risk. Some parents recognize that
education can give their children more opportunities. Villagers who are able
have pooled their resources to improve the local school, hoping students
can continue to higher levels of education, build successful lives, and
one day return to support future generations. Many challenges remain.

The Yashar Project started the first feeding program at Kiwari Village
Primary School. The program supplements food provided by parents and helps
feed children whose families cannot afford enough food. Students receive
porridge in the morning and a meal at lunchtime. Some children travel a long
distance and sleep in a classroom from Monday through Thursday; they also
need meals. Current funding does not cover all these needs.

The school also needs books, qualified teachers, classrooms, and office
buildings. Most primary-school graduates do not continue their education
because secondary school and further study are beyond what many families
can afford. During our four-year relationship with Kiwari, we have been able
to sponsor three students’ high-school education. Their families have
praised God and expressed gratitude for The Yashar Project’s support.

When we return, families often ask whether we can help another child. So far,
we have not had the resources to do so. Their hopes and dreams still face
many obstacles. We are not where we want to be, but we are grateful for how
far the community has come. With your help, more children can have a
straight path to a brighter tomorrow.