The tragic images and reports from Kenya have probably already reached you through international news. But we want to tell you, as eyewitnesses on the ground, what we are experiencing here and how you can help. Due to the El Niño climate phenomenon, Kenya and large parts of East Africa have been battered by torrential rains for weeks. Over 200,000 people have fled their homes, and large parts of the country are inaccessible due to infrastructure damage. Sadly, there are also many fatalities and even more missing.
On April 29th, it hit our area. At 3 a.m., Lisa received a desperate call from our gardener, who lives in the valley in the village of MaiMahiu. There was agitated shouting in the background; he simply said: "It is bad down here, people are losing their homes and everyone is running for their lives.".
As this picture shows, an entire valley near our village was dammed for the railway. The drainage system was insufficient for the amount of rain, and the entire embankment collapsed under the weight of the water. The flood wave thundered down towards the valley floor, sweeping away roads, bridges, numerous houses, cars, animals, and sadly, many people.
First responders have recovered 52 bodies so far, many of them children; several are still missing. Schools and churches are currently serving as emergency shelters for those affected.
We thank God for his protection, that no one from the school, orphanage, Bible school, or hospital was injured. Sadly, many of our staff members have lost family members who were either killed or injured. The entire area is in mourning. We continue to receive reports from families who watched as the floodwaters swept away loved ones.
Several organizations were quickly on the scene to provide assistance, including Naomi's Village and Kijabe Hospital. The focus is now on rescue operations and emergency relief. Donations of supplies such as food, clothing, and mattresses are being delivered. Although MaiMahiu is only a 20-minute drive from Kijabe, it currently takes us a good hour to get there from our location because two main roads (including Lisa's commute) have been destroyed. Despite all this, it's wonderful to see people coming together to help and supporting one another.
We would gladly – with your help – actively support our neighborhood. We are collecting donations for this purpose, not only for immediate aid such as food and emergency shelter, but also for reconstruction in the coming weeks and months.
A separate donation account was set up for this purpose by Help that arrives Created. Here are the transfer details if you would like to support us:
Hilfe die ankommt
IBAN: AT66 1200 0516 0720 0373
BIC: BKAUATWW
Payment reference:
135 – Aid for Kenya
*This support is separate from support for our main jobs.
Pray with us:
- so that those buried who might still be alive can be found and recovered.
- for Kraft, especially for hospital staff who, due to the influx of patients caused by the doctors' strike, have been overwhelmed for weeks even before the flood wave.
- that roads and water/electricity lines are repaired quickly.
- that the reconstruction will be better planned this time, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
- that the help now coming from everywhere actually reaches those for whom it is intended.
- for the psychological healing of relatives and those affected
The Lord is near to those who are despairing and saves those who have lost all hope. (Psalm 34:19)
Shalom,
Lisa, David with Noemi and Layla
