Makuu’s story

Makuu is 13 years old. He lives in Eastern Kenya with his family.

This is Makuu's sister Josephine. She is 9 years old.

Makuu loves playing with his friends.

Last year, there was a drought and Makuu didn’t have much energy for playing.

People did not have enough food to eat. At times, we skipped lunch and we’d go without eating. Missing lunch made me feel sick and tired. Sometimes I couldn’t concentrate.

For many years, people in the area have relied on food aid so they have not learnt important skills, like how to grow vegetables. This is Makuu with other children at his school.

CAFOD has helped schools to grow vegetables and given them water tanks and seeds. Now Makuu helps to run a school vegetable garden.

Here is Makuu in the school vegetable garden with other children. They are learning about how to grow crops.

Makuu is looking forward to eating the crops he is growing. Sometimes maize flour is all we have for dinner and it is enough; but, of course, I’m looking forward to eating the vegetables!

The garden will help me and my family because when I finish school, if I'm jobless, I can raise money and help myself by selling vegetables.

Things to think about… How do you think Makuu felt during the drought? How do you think Makuu feels now? What has changed for Makuu and his community? How has this happened?

Are you Hungry for change? In our world, one in eight people are hungry. Is this fair? Join CAFOD’s Hungry for change campaignHungry for change –Take action and write your message to the Prime Minister for a fair food system, where everyone has enough to eat. cafod.org.uk/primary/food

Makuu’s story Picture credits: Annie Bungeroth