August 2025
Kamitei Foundation (Kamitei) is seeking partners to establish three-year food programs at two schools in the Oltukai community of Northern Tanzania. These programs aim to prevent hunger from hindering the learning potential of primary school children in one of the neediest communities in rural Tanzania.
For several years, Kamitei has operated programs that give more than just meals to thousands of students. In the last five years, with support from our partners, Kamitei provided over 1.27 million meals to rural students. In 2025, the food program at eight rural primary schools supplied 3,319 students with two meals per day for the first 60 days of the year, fostering a positive start to their academic activities. Annual feedback from teachers highlights improvements in student attendance and academic achievement, with most schools reporting up to a 25% increase in attendance during the meal programs.
In the Oltukai community, two schools educate 729 children: Oltukai Primary (with 523 students) and its satellite school, Engusero Primary (with 206 students). Currently, food provision at Oltukai Primary is sporadic, while Engusero Primary offers no meals. This lack of food has left many children hungry, resulting in persistently low school attendance and academic standards.
In rural Tanzania, a school meal is often the only food a student gets all day. Chronic hunger, exacerbated by subsistence living and droughts, affects students’ health, growth, and ability to focus. Oltukai’s school and community leaders emphasise that hunger is a significant factor contributing to low attendance and poor academic performance, as their children lack the energy to attend school regularly.
The proposed programs will provide two healthy meals daily to improve nutrition and well-being, reduce hunger-related disruptions to learning, and boost school attendance. The initiative will also involve the community in meal preparation and support the local economy by purchasing staple foods from nearby farmers and markets.
“The generations that follow me deserve to live happy, healthy, and rewarding lives,” says Jane Ngwatu, Kamitei’s Maasai founder. “We started Kamitei with the belief that every child should be able to embark on their future with strength and promise and that through access to quality education, rural Tanzanian youth can build a prosperous future for themselves and their communities.
Our expertise in tackling rural education challenges makes us a reliable partner to deliver an impactful program. With the support of international partners, Oltukai’s children will grow up healthier, happier, and with empowered minds. We invite you to join us in transforming lives and improving educational outcomes in rural Tanzania.
