'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.

An Orphans Love by Josephine Ajema- OVC programs coodinator

The story of seven-year old Mureithi reminds me of John 14:18 which says, ‘I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you’. We met him at a local church as we visited to see how the church is implementing the care and support of the orphans and vulnerable children in the community after being empowered through World Relief’s OVC program.

Mureithi was playing with a friend when we walked into the church’s neighborhood. He offered to take us to the church where the pastor was waiting for us along with the other beneficiaries. My eyes set on Mureithi, who seemed too small for his age, I kept thinking that something was seriously wrong with him. Despite all his seeming hardships he was pleasant.

‘I came alone, Mum is sick and at home,’ Mureithi said. The women present interjected and informed us that both his parents were dead and that the one he referred to as ‘mum’ was an aunt. This information really gave me a push to visit his home. As soon as we are done with our meeting at the church I asked the pastor if we could visit with Mureithi at his home. And that was how we ended up at the place Mureithi calls ‘home’.

Mureithi’s home is in the heart of the Kware slum in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado District and like typical slum housing is made of iron sheets (tin). Many are the times the simplicity and innocence of children completely sweeps me off my feet - no wonder they are the greatest in the kingdom of God.

‘Mum, mum, wake up, see I have brought home some visitors.’ shouted Mureithi. He encouraged us to sit on some seats that adorned the ‘sitting area’ of the one roomed house that is their abode. I felt between Mureithi and his aunt a deep and special love that only exists between a mother and son.

Mureithi’s aunt who has a severe eye problem made her way and sat with us in the ‘sitting room’. She is only twenty years old and her name is Mary. Mary explains that she took in Mureithi and his 4-year old sister after their parents died. At the time Mureithi and his sister were living with their grandmother who was unable to take care of them. Mary also explained that the church that we had visited earlier helps her care for the children, and has provided them with school fees. While they are at the school the pastor also gives them a meal. The women from the church also visit to encourage Mary and the children and to help them meet their daily needs.

As we leave I’m encouraged by the results of the program. I know that it has achieved some sustainability; this is why Mureithi and the sister have a home where their needs are met through the support of a caring church community.