Job created: 41
Children attending: 7.209The school lunch programme promoted by A&K Philanthropy is a vital initiative to combat malnutrition and support the education of young people living in rural communities near major nature reserves and national parks in Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Zambia.
Launched in 2017, the project is based on a principle that is as simple as it is powerful: ensuring that pupils receive a hot, nutritious lunch every day so that they can attend lessons regularly and with the necessary concentration. Since its inception, the programme has gone on to serve daily meals to over 12,000 pupils in 16 schools spread across a vast area, stretching from the Maasai Mara to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and from Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to the Puros Nature Reserve.
The programme’s impact is widespread and directly addresses the needs of individual local communities. At the schools in Enkereri and Partakilat, near Olonana, the programme provides lunch for 943 pupils every day. In the area surrounding the Gorilla Forest Lodge in Bwindi, as many as 4,800 children receive daily meals. Similarly, in the village of Nakatindi, near the Sussi & Chuma Lodge, 1,300 pupils are served daily, whilst a further 166 children receive their daily meal at the school in Purros, near the Okahirongo Elephant Lodge.
As well as safeguarding children’s health and education, the initiative acts as a powerful driver of economic development for the adult population. Thanks to the support of visitors and the local network, AKP has built 19 fully equipped school kitchens and employed over 60 catering staff recruited directly from the local community. The involvement of local chefs and staff in the preparation and distribution of meals has made it possible both to modernise school infrastructure and to create stable, decent jobs, which were sorely needed in the host communities.
This project is run in partnership with: Olonana Lodge – Kenya; Kitirua Plains Lodge – Kenya; Sussi & Chuma Lodge – Zambia; Okahirongo Elephant Lodge – Namibia
A land of wonders set in a continent of wonders: this is Namibia, where sand dunes rise like mountains and nature seems to belong to another planet. In this surreal setting, elephants, giraffes, and springboks have learned to live in the desert, creating one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world.
The Okahirongo Elephant Lodge is located in an extraordinary position on the banks of the Hoarusib River, within the remote Puros Conservancy in the north of the country. Surrounded by dunes and spectacular clay castles, the lodge is designed to blend harmoniously with the desert landscape that surrounds it. The structure features architecture inspired by Himba culture. The central dome, reminiscent of the traditional dwellings of the local community, serves as the heart of the lodge and introduces a style that combines elegance and authenticity. All common areas—including the convivial dining room—are open on the sides, framing different views of the majestic surrounding desert and creating a continuous dialogue between inside and outside. The lodge has only seven suites and one villa, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience. The interiors are minimalist, bright, and designed to offer comfort without altering the harmony with the natural landscape.
Outside, a tranquil infinity pool overlooks the vast expanses of the desert, offering a privileged vantage point. The Bush Boutique inside displays local artwork in different styles, allowing guests to get closer to the creativity and culture of the Himba community.
Culinary experiences are offered in evocative settings: aperitifs at sunset on the dunes or packed lunches in the Hoarusib Valley. Finally, the isolated location allows for an exceptionally clear view of the night sky, making a stay at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge a constant encounter with the natural and cultural beauty of Namibia.
