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She started at 21 years of age when she was studying at the University of South Australia where she would cook Kenyan meals and sell them at $20 (Ksh 2,345). Through that venture she raised $1620 (Ksh. 189,136) which she used to build a makeshift kitchen to make nutritious meals for Kenyan students.
The kitchen was based in Ruiru. That gave birth to her organization Food For Education. Ten years later, Wawira Njiru is a decorated female entrepreneur and change maker whose impact has been recognized all over the world.
How did it all start?
Wawira was pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science and when she learnt that one in four children in Kenya was suffering malnutrition she decided to do something about it.
“I learned that one in four children in Kenya is stunted. That is an injustice that I couldn’t stand. One in four will never grow properly, physically or cognitively, because of poor nutrition and that formed the basis of my work with Food for Education,” she said at an interview with her Alma Mater University of South Australia.
She went on to have conversations with different teachers and realized that students wouldn’t show up to class because of hunger. Others, she said, were leaving school early to go work so that they can earn money to buy something to eat.
The Stats
UNICEF says that more than two million children under the age of five have stunted growth. Stunting is a form of under-nutrition which, if not addressed could have effects on the child in the long haul.
“If not addressed, it has devastating long-term effects, including diminished mental and physical development. In addition, 11 per cent of children are underweight, with four per cent wasted. Wasting and severe wasting are linked to increased and preventable deaths among young children,” notes the UNICEF.
A decade of change
It’s been ten years since Wawira and her organization hit the ground running. The organization websites records that they have so far served 7,000,000 meals to different public schools in Kenya. Their work spans across three counties so far but they intend to expand not only to the rest of the country but also to other countries. Currently they serve Kiambu, Mombasa and Nairobi counties.
This massive impact has led to improved nutrition, better school attendance, higher performance and higher high school transition rates. The subsidized food that they serve children is made up of rice, beans and vegetables which makes up for a balanced diet. These meals are subsidized by donors and partners but parents pay a small fee of 15 cents (Ksh 117).
They have also integrated technology by using the Tap2Eat initiative. “Tap2Eat is a digital mobile platform that uses cutting edge FinTech to enable public primary school children access nutritious food for education,” says the Food for Education website.
Parents use MPESA, which is a mobile money platform to pay for the subsidized meals. The amount is then credited to a virtual wallet which is linked to the NFC wrist band. The child then Taps to eat in under five seconds on a mobile device which validates the payment.
Woman of accolades
Wawira’s noble work has not gone unnoticed. She is very well decorated with achievements and recognition from notable quarters. Here are some of the accolades she has garnered over the years.
- Spark International Changemaker in 2012
- Transform Nutrition ‘Nutrition Champion’ in 2013
- An Ibua Africa Changemaker in 2015
- Recognized by Standford University’s d.school for her use of design thinking in solving critical development challenges in 2016
- Honoured with a University of South Australia Alumni Award in 2017
- The first ever Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award winner in 2018
- United Nations Person of the Year in Kenya 2021
- Icons Award by World’s Best 50 Restaurants in 2022
