We at WFWIA say ‘Thank You’.
WkW says ‘Thank You’.
The Families of Kibera say ‘Thank You’.
MESSAGE FROM LEONIDA
Greetings from Nairobi. It’s my hope and prayer that you are safe and keeping safe during these desperate times as the world deals with the corona virus pandemic.
I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the financial donation for food supplies that we received to help the people of Kibera. Words to describe the situation in Kibera fail me. As the Kenyan government continues to give restrictions in order to control the spread of the virus, the poor in our country, especially in Kibera find themselves in extremely dire circumstances. The middle class in Kenya can prepare for a lockdown by purchasing supplies and stocking up for the difficult days ahead. The people of Kibera cannot because they ordinarily live from hand to mouth. Theirs is a stark choice between the misery of the corona virus or starvation.
You can therefore appreciate the incredible relief your financial assistance gives the poor in Kibera. Those who benefit from this assistance can in fact concentrate on keeping safe from the virus and not have to worry about death by starvation. There is still lots of fear and uncertainty in the country. We place ourselves in Gods hands even as we do what we can to deal with this threat to our lives and wellbeing.
Once again, thanks a million for the financial assistance, even as Australia deals with the same threat. God grant you his choicest blessings.
Please keep safe.
Much love
Leonida
The effects of COVID-19 on Families of Kibera
Jared MachoraJared, has a family of 11 members who live in a single room house in Kibera slums. He fears that the country lockdown will put his family at a risk of dying from either starvation or the virus itself. He is a beneficiary of the food packages that have been giving out.
Schools have been closed and all his children are at home, and are supposed to stay indoors. The fact that the government has ordered every Kenyan citizen to stay home to control the spread of the virus, Jared’s family can’t afford the basic commodities like food, clean water, and the house has become too small for all eleven members.“Food has become very expensive”, Jared said. “I have a big family, my children, my wife and grandchildren depend on my providence” he added. Daniel, let me tell you, I’m so ashamed that I can’t afford the basic commodities like water”. The outbreak of this virus has made a 20 litre container of water to rise to Kshs 10 from Kshs 5 in some areas. Our government insist on sanitizing ourselves and washing hands with soap, “how are we going to achieve this if we can’t afford water, are we not going to die?” Thank you WKW for coming to my aid. At least now we have food.Jared is so afraid that with the congestion in his house, his family is at risk of contracting the virus which will easily wipe away his family. |
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| Christine (Chrispine Oduor’s Aunt)
She is a single with six children, five of her own, and Chrispine, her sister’s son, including her, makes it seven members in a small single room. She earns from selling snacks and vegetables on the road side in Kibera. She interacts with people every day and this increases the risk of her getting infected and then infect her family. She has no formal employment. She sells her snacks and vegetables to fend for her family, pay rent, buy water and pay for electricity or at least buy kerosene to light her house at night.
“We’ve been told not to get out of our houses, how am I going to feed my children? Aren’t we going to starve?” She asked. “All the six children are at home, the need to eat and have water to clean the house and wash their hands. I have been told not to continue selling my snacks and vegetables, how are we going to survive?” she asked. “Water has become an expensive commodity. We have to walk for long distances and buy it sometimes at Kshs 10 per 20 litre container. With the government lockdown directives, we’re basically starring at our graves” she added.
The idea of social distance is unattainable for the two families bearing in mind of the number of people living in those small single rooms and this poses the risk of contracting the virus. There is no space outside their homes. The fact that they can’t afford water, one can imagine that they’ll be interested in looking for sanitisers. |
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We understand this is a very uncertain time for us all, but if you are able to donate to our Disaster Fund please click on the link below. As you can see from the messages above your donations are making a huge difference. Every cent donated will be sent to Kibera.
Thank you. |
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DONATE HERE
Read the previous update from Kibera HERE
