Plate for Peace: Five Students, One Mission to Save Lives in Kakuma

In the shadows of the Kakuma Refugee Camp, a silent tragedy is unfolding. While the world’s attention has shifted to new conflicts, the families in Kakuma have been left behind. Before 2021, the standard food ration per person was approximately 9 kg of cereals (such as maize or sorghum) per month. However, as funding shortages affected humanitarian operations, particularly among agencies of the United Nations, these rations were gradually reduced. In 2023 alone, food rations were cut by about 30%, leaving each person with only around 3 kg of cereals per month to sustain themselves. The suspension of support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2025 further deepened the crisis, pushing the camp into severe food insecurity. As a result, rations dropped to as little as 1 kg of cereals per person per month.

The cost of this neglect isn't just measured in hunger; it’s measured in lives. Recently, one single mother, overwhelmed by the agony of watching her children starve, took her own life. They didn't give up; they were crushed by a world that stopped looking their way. For that reason, we refuse to look away and turn our backs on them.

We are a group of five students from Elmhurst University moved to action by the heartbreak of Kakuma. We believe that distance should never be an excuse for indifference. We saw the reports of orphans and vulnerable mothers struggling against impossible odds, and we knew that "awareness" wasn't enough. We needed to provide action.

We founded Plate for Peace to bridge the gap between global neglect and local survival. As students, we may not have the massive budgets of international agencies, but we have the passion, the transparency, and the direct connection to get help where it is needed most right now.

Our Mission: Dignity, Love, and Community

Plate for Peace isn't just about food; it’s about restoring the hope that these mothers lost. We are raising funds to provide life-saving nourishment directly to single-mother households and orphans in Kakuma.

Our goal is simple: No mother in Kakuma should ever feel she has to choose between her own life and the survival of her child.

By supporting our student-led campaign, you are providing:

Direct Nutritional Support: Essential grains, oils, and proteins for the most vulnerable families.

Maternal Advocacy: Mental health and community support to let these women know they are seen and valued.

A Lifeline for Orphans: Ensuring the most innocent victims of this crisis have a seat at the table.

How You Can Help

We aren't just asking for "charity"; we are asking you to join a movement of compassion. As students, we are doing the legwork organizing, advocating, and ensuring every dollar reaches the camp. We just need you to help us fill the plates.

OUR PROMISE

We are committed to total transparency. As we reach our milestones, we will share updates, photos, and stories from the ground so you can see exactly how your generosity is turning the tide against despair.

The world may have forgotten Kakuma, but we haven't. Will you stand with us? With hope and determination.

Interest to lean more about Kakuma ? Please watch the videos below:

https://youtu.be/3bC-KJ89_v8?si=cidELIz1PtG237Pc

https://youtu.be/rodWAmznvcM?si=yWP7J0nv5uu9QfTn

https://youtu.be/o8poV2Yq8Ek?si=mZysqj4AXVqD5ONw

The Plate for Peace Team From Elmhurst University

1. Samuel Hatungimana ( Founder )

2. Atong Mijok (Co-founder)

3. Marta Guillen Boza (Co-founder )

4. Josephine Mangati (Co-founder)

5. Christina Morris (Co-founder )