Eight-year-old Alex and his brother and sister live in rural Kisumu County, Kenya. Their mother died and their father remarried, abandoned the family, and moved away. Only their grandmother is left to care for them. She is too frail to work, or even to keep their hut clean.

Chickens wander in and out the open door and Alex has ringworm, for which he is receiving treatment at school.

Most importantly, at school he gets fed – mealy porridge at 10 o’clock and a cooked meal later in the day. At home the family depends on the charity of neighbours, just a little less poor than themselves. At school Alex depends on the food sponsored by your gifts through Blythswood’s gift catalogue.

Rashid is ten and lives with his mother who cannot walk and consequently can’t find work. He too depends on the kindness of neighbours and on the school-day provision made with your support at Mier Pamoja Educational Centre.

James Campbell, Blythswood’s former chief executive, visited Mier Pamoja in January. He says: “The school gives these children the opportunity to learn and your gifts provide the nutrition they need to grow, study and play.”