How a 20-Year-Old Turned One Small Fundraiser Into 600,000 Daily Meals for Kenyan Kids?

At just 20 years old, Wawira Njiru hosted a small fundraiser where she cooked for 80 people, hoping to raise enough money to provide meals for schoolchildren in Kenya. What started as a simple act of compassion quickly sparked a movement far bigger than she ever imagined. That fundraiser became the foundation of Food4Education, an organization that today feeds more than 600,000 children every single day.

Wawira’s vision was clear from the beginning: no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Over the years, she expanded the initiative by combining smart technology, efficient logistics, and strong community partnerships. The program uses innovative mobile payment systems that allow parents to contribute small amounts toward meals, making the model both affordable and sustainable. Behind the scenes, local farmers, cooks, volunteers, and schools all work together to ensure children receive nutritious food prepared fresh daily.

Through relentless dedication, Wawira has helped deliver more than 100 million meals, a milestone that has transformed not just classrooms but entire communities. Teachers report better attendance, improved concentration, and higher performance from well-fed students. Meanwhile, local economies benefit from the jobs and agricultural demand the program creates.

For Wawira, this mission is more than a project—it’s a lifelong calling. She often says that even if she had to start all over again, feeding children would still be her purpose. Her journey shows how one person’s passion, paired with creativity and community support, can grow into a national force for change.