Job created: 41
Children attending: 7.209
The 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
Uganda, often called the secret pearl of Africa, wins the hearts of those who visit with its breathtaking scenery: crystal clear lakes, majestic mountain ranges and dense rainforests. This fascinating country boasts the highest concentration of primates in the world, providing an unparalleled wilderness experience.
In the heart of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-western Uganda, is the Gorilla Forest Lodge, an exclusive retreat that combines comfort and sustainability. This region is famous for its iconic mascot: the mountain gorilla. About half the world's population of this rare and endangered species lives here, making Bwindi a must-visit destination for those seeking the thrill of a close encounter with these extraordinary primates.
The Gorilla Forest Lodge, completely renovated in 2024 and designed with respect for the environment, offers an intimate and luxurious experience. Its ten suites, renovated with attention to detail, blend harmoniously with the surrounding mountain landscape. The lodge's amenities include a cosy bar, a lounge perfect for relaxation and a refined dining area with panoramic views of the rainforest, where guests can rejuvenate after a day's trekking. A raised platform allows guests to dine al fresco, surrounded by the enveloping sounds of nature.
The lodge's strategic location, a stone's throw from the starting point of gorilla-watching treks, makes it a unique place. Not infrequently, gorilla families come to the lodge, offering guests the chance to experience unforgettable moments in close contact with these magnificent animals, in their natural habitat.
