Devki Group of Companies, through its subsidiary National Cement Company Limited, has initiated a school feeding programme targeting 7,000 students in Kilifi and Kwale counties. This move, aimed at enhancing student retention and academic performance, underscores the company’s commitment to supporting education in the Coastal Region.
The programme, launched under the Devki Charitable Trust Feeding Programme, will provide lunch to students in 12 selected primary schools throughout the year at no cost to parents. The initiative is expected to benefit 3,000 learners in Kilifi and 4,000 in Kwale, creating a more conducive learning environment for the children.
Speaking during the food distribution event in Rabai Sub-County, Devki Group Administrator Peter Paul highlighted the inclusive nature of the programme. “We have incorporated all nearby schools, whether or not they are directly affected by our mining and plant operations,” Paul explained.
The programme is a key component of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and will see food items worth KSh 5 million distributed to the schools each term. This consistent support is intended to ensure that learners receive nutritious meals, which is essential for their physical and cognitive development.
Paul further elaborated on the group’s strategy to sustain the programme. “For this term, we have supplied foodstuffs directly. Moving forward, we will issue cheques to individual schools to enable them to procure their food supplies,” he stated.
To ensure accountability, the Devki Group plans to monitor the programme closely. “Every week, my office staff will verify school registers and document the progress through photographs,” Paul added.
The Group Chairman, Narendra Naval, expressed his gratitude for the support received from the company’s various plants nationwide. The feeding programme reflects Devki Group’s broader commitment to fostering community development and addressing challenges such as student absenteeism and hunger in schools.
By providing reliable meal support, the initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and bolster educational outcomes, making a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of students in Kilifi and Kwale counties.
