Kenya's Need

It's the beginning of October, and coastal Kenya is suffering. Our dear friends there are scrambling to survive. These are folks we've met personally.

These kids (left) were among the first we encountered in the Tsangatsini region north of Mombasa.  We began with 10 kids who were not in school because their families couldn't afford it. Uniforms and fees let them attend and receive one meal a day. For some, it's the only regular food supply they have.  Soon, the number grew to 30+ and later to 42.  We added just the ones who were the most in need, because we're stretched thin.

I've been in the village. It has
been an extraordinarily difficult
place for the folks who live
here. Guruguru is the village
in the pictures.

The rains have failed for two years now, and crops have failed, dust is everywhere, and the animals are dying. Our friend who lives there, Bishop Samuel tells us,

"At the moment we have 42 children; I wish we can reach 50 children. The families are very poor, no employment, most are illiterate. The rains failed for two years now and famine is always in this area. The children need uniforms shoes school bags pens; Wakili said he had lost his books; I will buy him new ones. Food prices gone up making more difficult. By his grace we will do what we can."

We scrambled and sent additional funds...

"Thank you Brian. I bought some food to help. I found 5 children not going to school for they had not eaten. The government has not sent relief food; it's very dry now. People are drinking salt water; the fresh water pipe project not yet complete. animals dying."

"I saw women who walk 20 Km to bring home water in buckets and jugs. The land is total dry; no vegetables. dust, animals dying. A man said he sold his one cow for 3000 shillings, equivalent to $35; normally it would cost $300; a great loss."

A truckload of water saves a hundred 3-hour trips on foot or bicycle to the nearest water supply, and this is clean water.

We have direct access to the village through Bishop Samuel and his church staff. We know them well and trust them as partners in the work. They give us a full accounting of the funds we provide. If you'd like to join in the effort, it will be deeply appreciated. It takes about $10 to feed a child for perhaps a month. We need to cover the next few months until aid arrives, and the water pipe project is completed. Leave a comment at the end of the blog with your contact info; I'll get in touch immediately. Thanks so much.