Wawira Njiru, the Executive Director and founder of the Food for Education Foundation was recently named among 10 winners in the 2024 Elevate Prize Award.
Njiru was recognized for her outstanding contributions to improving child nutrition and school performance through her organization Food for Education Foundation which was started 12 years ago.
The 33-year-old started the non-governmental organization in a noble attempt to offer hot, nutritious, and affordable school meals to primary school children.
The initiative started in Kiambu County before moving to Nairobi and Mombasa Counties with the aim of ending classroom hunger, and improve school attendance and performance.
Her efforts earned her much international praise and commendations alongside a Ksh48 million (USD300,000) unrestricted grant coupled with tailored services aimed at improving her organisation.
World largest floating university charging Sh6 million per semester in Mombasa
These services include communications, content strategy, branding, social media training, and leadership.
“This year’s winners embody the essence of our foundation’s commitment to pushing boundaries and broadening the impact landscape. These remarkable individuals represent an expanded scope of social change – a pivotal shift in what is expected to be a pivotal year for the world,” Joseph Deitch the founder of Elevate Prize Foundation said.
Following the announcement of her win, Njiru took to social media to express her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no child learns on an empty stomach.
“Excited and grateful to be named one of this year’s Elevate Prize winners alongside other incredible leaders doing amazing work in the world. Our commitment at Food4Education to end classroom hunger is why we keep feeding the future. No child should have to learn while hungry,” she stated.
Besides the Elevate Prize Award, she has received numerous awards including the 2022 Icon Award at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants program. In 2021, she was named UN’s ‘Person of the Year’.