The drought which has gripped Kenya not only escalated food costs but destroyed crops in the field. . Food is scarce and even though the portions are cut down, what the children receive is healthy. To fight back Fr. Riwa took over the play fields of the children to plant amaranth.  This plant gives a grain which is ground into flour and the leaves are served in the rice and maze. It is considered the most nutritious of all plants, full of vitamins and minerals. This is Fr. Riwa’s way of keeping the children healthy. Food is scarce and even though the portions are cut down, what they receive is healthy.

Sister Kathryn reported: “The Nation Newspaper, in the April 21 edition noted that Kenyans are paying 25% more for food – the rise noted from January 1 through April 20.  A sample of food items listed included sugar up 27%, bread up 14%, maize (corn) flour up 24%, milk up 20%, tea leaves up 33%, rice up 10% and wheat flour up 38%.

Large crowds of people are starting to demonstrate in Nairobi and some of the larger cities about the rising costs of food and fuel making it impossible in many cases to feed their families. There seems to be considerable political unrest around this issue.”