'10 million Kenyans Face starvation"-World Relief Orphans affected

These are some of the glaring news reports and headlines that we read in the print media, see on the screen and, hear on the radio. One third of the Kenyan population is in dire need of food aid. The expected season of rain failed leading to crop failure. The situation has been made worse by the post elections violence in January where most of the farmers were forced to flee from their homes for safety in Internally Displaced Camps. The President, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki declared the famine a national disaster.

Taking a field trip to one of the areas World Relief Kenya operates, (Mwala, in Machakos district) in the Eastern part of Kenya, we meet various families who are starving. World Relief had provided seeds through the local church-Kiuwanzukini for various households  to plant . That year the crop did very well. The same church in 2007 through this community contributed 10 bags of maize to assist victims of land clashes in Mt. Elgon( West of Kenya) due to the bamper harvest they had experience and at the same time stand in solidarity with the churches that were affected there. Owing to  lack of rainfall in 2008,  the people do not anticipate any harvest. They confess that what they have been consuming during this famine period was part of the harvest they had last year and it has run out. 

The crops that were planted this time round have failed and the people do not anticipate any harvest. The Pastor at Kiuwanzukini church expressed the need for help to come through with the hope for a long-term solution especially water. He laments that the orphans they been taking care of are part of those who have been affected. Through his church committee, they have identified some of the most needy cases and are planning to distribute food to these families.

Meet Mr. Mutua who is a widower and has 10 children. They all depend on him for food and shelter. His wife,Rose, died in 2006 in what was diagnosed as tetanus right after the birth of Mweni the last child.  Rose died when Mweni was only 15 days old. " I didn't know what

 to do. I didn't have milk or anything to feed Mweni,"Says Mutua. He was able to 

recieve assitant from his neighbours who were gracious to help with baby sitting when he was away looking for food.

Mr Mutua laments about the rain. He says " If there was rain then we would have food." His family requires 4 kg of maize flour per meal every day and an extra 2kg of kale or greens leafy vegetables.  He misses his wife who would cook for the children and take care of them while he was busy getting odd jobs(digging land for someone for a fee). Now he has to double up as the father and mother. He is however optimistic that help will come soon.

It is evident that the help World Relief gave to the people of Mwala through the local church was much appreciated. The rains failed and the people of Mwala have to walk for over 3km to find water. Much more help is needed in terms of food aid for the people of Mwala and the Orphans we support in this region.