Children at the Maua School in Kenya’s South Lakes Region have been enjoying the arrival of new school resources, textbooks and playground equipment donated by Tenderstem® broccoli.
(Left to right – John Meijer, MD at Flamingo Horticulture Kenya – Naivasha region with children from the Maua school and head teacher Madam Jane Karunji)
Tenderstem® broccoli licensee Flamingo, which has farms in Kenya, has been working closely with the school since 2018 to deliver a refurbishment of the buildings and to sponsor the teachers as well as assisting with an extensive programme of CSR measures, including medical and screening programmes, the provision of nutritious school meals and environmental activities, all designed to help improve the wellbeing and education of the pickers’ community.
Flamingo’s Group Technical & Procurement Director Ian Michell explains: “It’s an important part of our operation in Kenya to support the local communities. We work closely with teachers and community leaders to make sure our contributions are just what is needed in these times of need, especially now schools are not returning until January 2021 due to COVID-19. In this case Tenderstem® has provided materials that will help children both mentally and physically whilst they are at home and help them maintain a level of educational support.”
There are 740 children of both primary and secondary age at the Maua School, which is situated near Flamingo’s Kingfisher Farm, which is one of the main producers of Tenderstem® broccoli in Kenya. Commenting on the donation Tenderstem®’s marketing manager Lacey Bradshaw says: “We are pleased to be able to help Flamingo in their work to support the community infrastructure for pickers who work on the farms that grow Tenderstem® broccoli in Kenya. It’s great to see the children enjoying their new school equipment and benefitting from long-term investment in their community school.”
