Haas Encourages Kenyan Children to Become Bakers

Equipment producer Haas has announced its involvement in supporting a bakery apprentice workshop and helping needy children in Korogocho, a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

“Because education matters” is the motto of Haas, while its educational program encourages the children involved to become bakers after they finish school.

Irene Kapaun, Haas’ marketing communication and public relations manager, recently visited Nairobi in order to report on the project’s progress. 

“We want to help create a future worth living for Korogocho’s children”, Kapaun explained. Active measures against malnutrition amongst children include the establishment of an integrated training bakery at a local school. Haas supports a project entitled “bread and education for a better future”, which ensures that children are not only offered a nutritious meal every day, but also an education enabling them to provide for themselves as adults.

Within the project, 98 children in primary schools are cared for. In addition to one hot meal every day, children are provided with fresh fruit as well as basic medical care.

Schools and apprenticeships 

The project’s team helps children regain a normal life with structured daily routines. While a special rehabilitation program helps drug-addicted children, the school above all offers psycho social support: in other words, a sort of home and a secure space. “The measures have changed their lives dramatically.They have found their self-esteem, they have new hope for the future”, said Kapaun.

Once the children finish school, they can enroll on apprenticeship courses to become bakers. A European master baker trains the young students in collaboration with African bakers. “In these two-year courses, students learn the basic skills of the bakery trade. After graduation, they are well equipped to find employment or to open their own businesses. Well-trained professionals are still hard to find in Nairobi”, Kapaun pointed out.

“A lack of education results in a lack of self-confidence and courage. Adults who are well trained and educated will become self-sufficient and be able to lead independent lives. With the financial support of ‘bread and education for a better future’, we are helping to give the children in the slums of Nairobi an education and an opportunity to learn about a promising profession”, she said.

Haas is supporting the bakery until the end of 2016.