On 7th April, 2026 a donation of food as well as educational items which were funded by the NGO Each One Teach One (EOTO) was distributed to the school by Yatima Outreach. Patmos Cottage School then successfully executed a food relief distribution targeting 255 vulnerable households. The intervention focused on providing households with one bale of maize flour, a crucial staple for cooking ugali or (a staple porridge), ensuring immediate relief from rising food prices and shortages.  Through the Social Work Department essential school items which had also been donated by EOTO were distributed to 230 pupils.  This donation included a comprehensive educational kit which comprised a school uniform, shoes, sports shoes and inner garments for all 230 pupils.

 

EOTO is a non-profit that helps pay for the health, education, housing and nourishment of orphans and poverty-stricken children.  The CEO of EOTO if Mr. Nitesh Patel  is a dedicated philanthropist and community leader with a deep passion for empowering children and families living in poverty. Believing that education and access to basic necessities are fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty, Nitesh founded Each One Teach One (EOTO) in 2008. 

 

Nitesh is an ardent supporter of Patmos Cottage School and  has previously visited the school on two occasdions with his daughter and members of EOTO.  In March 2024  he donated a generator to ensure a good supply of electricity at the school.  He also donated supplies of shoes and uniforms for the children as well as sacks of maize flour for the parents. Patmos Cottage School was delighted to receive the donation of a generator from Mr. Patel and The Shakti Family Trust, and Adrian and Vivian Ibarra.  Recognising the vital role education plays in shaping children’s lives they decided to donate a robust 20kVA Dayliff generator to the school.  Mr. Mortimer Jones, Director of Programs at Orphan Outreach USA over saw every detail of the commissioning process to guarantee the successful installation and operation of the generator.

 

Nitesh paid another visit to Patmos Cottage School in March of 2025 together with friends from EOTO when they once again generously donated bales of flour for the families and school uniforms and shoes for the school children.

 

Research has shown that the provision of free school uniforms and clothing significantly reduces absenteeism and helps to improve school attendance and participation.  Vulnerable children often face stigma and shame when attending school in torn or dirty clothing.  The provision of a new school uniform helps to empower the pupils with a sense of pride and belonging within the community.  Uniforms help to level the playing field, making socioeconomic differences invisible.  This reduces peer pressure and competition based on fashion and affluence which can otherwise lead to bullying.  Wearing a school uniform can also help pupils mentally transition into a “learning mindset”, and instill a sense of responsibility and belonging from a young age allowing the students to focus on their studies rather than their outward appearance.  The provision of a school uniform also significantly alleviates the financial burden on parents/guardians and caregivers.  For families living in extreme poverty, providing a full school uniform can be an unaffordable luxury that ranks low in the household budget where food is the priority.

 

The provision of one bale of maize flour to 255 households in Mathare will have made a huge difference to the recipient families who had been identified by the social work department as being low-income, vulnerable households.  The maize donated will have provided food security for these households significantly assisting with meals for several weeks.  This targeted intervention, often aligns with EOTO initiatives and reflects community-based efforts to support and enhance community resilience.

 

Patmos Cottage School is incredibly grateful to Nitesh and EOTO supporters for raising the funds for and facilitating this donation of essential  educational items and food. 

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To read about Mr. Patel's previous visits to the school, please click on the links below:

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March 2024 visit

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March 2025 visit