While Kenya’s free primary education policy has obvious benefits, the influx of new students since the program was implemented in 2003 has put considerable strain on available facilities. In Ayany Primary School, Nairobi, one class has 98 pupils and the entire school itself has more than 2,600 students.

Located in the expansive informal settlements of Kibera, the school’s high population unfortunately results in strained resources from space, to water and even food. The Davis and Shirtliff #ImprovingLives program, through the company’s team of irrigation engineers, picked the school for an irrigation project that seeks to supplement Ayany’s feeding program. The team has erected a green house (8m by 30m), and installed a drip irrigation system for the same. Through this, the school will be able to feed its large population and free up its monies to be able to better cater for the students in the school.

“Our children come from vulnerable homes. Before Davis and Shirtliff came in, we had various challenges in our school, especially relating to food. Some learners have confessed to teachers that the only meal they would get is from our school.” Mr. Jackson Ndambuki, HeadTeacher, Ayany Primary School.