Kenya Update

Ethnic bloodshed and terror in Kenya have been the result of a disputed election in December 2007. More than 900 people have been killed and 300,000 have been uprooted in violence from their homes, many of which have been torched.

The displaced people who were forced out of their homes with only the clothes on their back are living in makeshift camps. Life in these camps is treacherous, especially with women and children being abused. The cold and rain without proper shelter is causing additional suffering.

Although the children at our Samaritan Children’s Centers and staff at Lifewater Kenya are safe, they have still been affected by these protests.

Feeding programs, health clinics and water projects in various areas have been temporarily stopped.

The Director of the water development program said, “Some projects cannot be done at this time for they are in areas where if you do not belong to that tribe you might end up losing your life. … Currently we are doing first the projects near us due to the safety of our staff.”

These eleven children from Nakuru Showground field were the first of many that have been saved and brought to our Samaritan Children’s Center. The children are either orphans or don’t know if their parents are dead or alive. All of these children are now receiving food, housing, an education and medical care — Thanks to you!

We are assisting displaced people where possible, especially through feeding programs and finding a safe place to stay. Food, clothing and kitchen wares are being provided to help with this transition.

How Love Saved Four Children

Susan, Sarah, Simon and Michael are four remarkable children at the Samaritan Center in Kenya. Each were either orphaned or abandoned and have experienced unimaginable horrors at very young ages. After losing both of her parents before she turned seven, Susan was badly abused and repeatedly raped by the family members who took her in and was threatened by the people she turned to for help.

“My Uncle who had agreed to care for me as my dad… pushed me out of my bed, undressed me and raped me mercilessly then left me there.”

Similarly, Sarah lost her mother at age seven and was forced to live with her violently abusive father who threatened to kill her and her siblings if they were to tell anyone of his nightly sexual attacks.

“As soon as we started forgetting the pain of losing our dear mother, things started changing, dad became so harsh and cruel to us. He used to call us one by one and rape us threatening to kill any of us who leaked stories.”

Simon was chased away and beaten by his family as a young boy and was forced to live on the streets in unrelenting hunger. After the death of his mother, Michael was only able to stay with his aunt for a short while because she could not feed him. With nowhere else to go, Michael lived a very difficult life on the streets.

Life changed for each of these kids when they came to the Samaritan Center. Susan found someone to hear her story and take her to the hospital; now she lives in a loving place without fear of abuse. Sarah's story was heard and her father was arrested. Now Sarah is grateful for her home in the Samaritan Center and wants to become a teacher.

"I thank God because I landed in safe hands of now my beloved Pastor David Maina who is taking care of me and my other 'sisters'... He has given me and others a chance to live and hope in life for I have recovered and started a new life. I am determined to face the future with hope and confidence... God bless you all."

For the first time, Simon feels he is in a safe place where he does not need to run away and has hope for a good life. Michael found his way to the Samaritan Center and he is grateful to have a nurturing community with house parents who love taking care of all of the children.

"My prayer is that when I grow up I would like to be a Pastor so that I could have that heart of helping those children who are in need like our Director is doing. God bless you all who have supported me up to where I am now."

The children at the Samaritan Center are able to be there because of you. And because of you, their voices have been heard and action has been taken. Thank you for taking the time to listen to the children who have been silenced and ignored. Our hope, however, is to provide more than just a voice to these children. It is our desire to take action and give them a future and a hope by extending resources and sharing your love. You have heard their voices, will you help us take action?

Enter a few more Good Samaritans in the form of donors like yourself. Children's Hunger Relief Fund collected enough donations to help purchase land and building materials and a home for the children was established. Twenty former street children now have a nurturing environment in which to grow and develop. Hundreds more receive regular nutritious meals.

The teachers' dream is to provide all of these precious children with a permanent home. This is not an impossible dream. We just need a few more Good Samaritans.