Humble porridge

There is something special about the way children have porridge at school. In Turkana, meals are shared within the community. While a meal is being prepared, people wait humbly and patiently. Once it is ready, they gather and queue silently, each waiting for their turn. The food is shared with all: everyone receives their own portion, and no one takes more than they need.

At breakfast time in school, every child first washes their own cup, however small they are. Then the children are called by grade, the little ones first, followed by the older ones. They queue with their clean cup and, when it is their turn, the matron fills it with porridge. Then they find a place to sit, often on the ground, and drink slowly, together with every other child.

The atmosphere is calm and respectful. No child complains or asks for more than they are given, and no child disturbs the others.

There is a sense of something sacred happening, where kindness, respect and gratitude can be felt in the air.

Witnessing children having porridge at school is inspiring and, for us, a real lesson.