The most important Italian charity on the Kenyan coast, Karibuni Onlus, has involved the Lavazza Foundation of Turin in a series of health, employment and educational projects in the hinterland of Kilifi County.
For almost twenty years now, Karibuni's work in the area has been recognised by fellow Kenyans and local institutions for projects that create awareness of development and offer concrete opportunities for growth and self-awareness to the new generations, as well as fundamental social assistance. In this case, however, the merit is above all that, thanks to its credibility and competence, of having brought back to Kenya the Turin-based foundation, which is usually linked to solidarity projects concerning the land and the coffee sector in which it has always operated.
"In this first phase of the collaboration," explains Karibuni Onlus President Gianfranco Ranieri, "thousands of girls have been involved in an educational programme that aims to resolve some of the taboos of female adolescent discomfort on the coast. The programme focuses on health and sex education".
Thanks to the Lavazza foundation, a kindergarten in Langobaya has also been guaranteed full daily meals. School food provision is one of the strengths of the Lombardy-based non-profit organisation, which has not only improved the health of the students and alleviated the economic burden of maintaining their families, but has also achieved tangible results in the study.
"For our children there have been significant improvements in their school performance," explains Ranieri, "which is very important for their education. There is a lot of absenteeism in schools, but thanks to this project and the school supplies purchased, the children have regained interest in studying and their skills have improved considerably".
Lastly, the Lavazza Foundation also took part in Karibuni Onlus' main project, the Langobaya farms.
Thanks to the chickens donated by Lavazza, the eggs that are produced and sold are used to provide new meals for the schools," adds Ranieri. "In this way, the food is healthy and the children are guaranteed a nutritious and balanced daily meal. This is just the first step in a collaboration that we hope will develop into many other useful and impactful projects for the rural community of Langobaya. Our collaboration with this important foundation, which operates all over the world with seriousness and attention to social issues, is a collaboration that makes us proud as Italians and especially as Italians in Kenya".