Two Degrees of Separation...

The catalyst for creating this Emergency Fund was the feedback that came, almost immediately from Kenya when the political unrest broke out. Life basics such as cooking fuel had doubled in price. A liter of parrafin, which is used for cooking and as a lightsource, was now $2 a canister. That may seem inexpensive by Western standards, but for grandmother families, it was a huge set back. The average daily wage is $1.

For those of you who aren't familiar with "grandmother families", they are a very special segment of sub-Saharan African life. The AIDS pandemic has taken a huge toll on the "parent generation" of this part of the world. In the wake of losing their own children to the disease, grandmothers have stepped up to raise extended families of "grandchildren". Many are caring for upwards of 10 children. Public school is free, but high school requires tuition. Now in their elder years, they are faced with feeding, housing and educating the future generation. And they are nobly committed to educating their grandchildren!

Organizations like the Stephen Lewis Foundation, have recognized the amazing resource of these women and have created on-the-ground support for them. Voiceless Children, a Kenyan-based organization which was founded by a grandmother-raised orphan, Felix Masi, is also part of the solution. In a "normal year", Voiceless Children tends to grandmother families in the slums of Nairobi and villages of Western Kenya. Helping with food & supplies, housing, school fees and small business start-ups, it has become a thriving example of providing a solution from within Africa.

The recent violence that erupted from disputed election results, has created even greater obstacles for those who were devoted to building community solutions. Women and children are bearing the brunt of the violence and harsh living conditions.

In this case, rather than being on the sidelines to a global story, we have reliable contacts on the ground in Kenya who can help ease the burden of these grandmother families. Voiceless Children is a registered charity in the US and currently being processed as an NGO (non-government organization) in Kenya.

I can assure you that word of "strangers from far away" sending donations to help ease their suffering will lighten the hearts of these amazing elder women and their children. We will keep you posted on the progress of the fund (the Chipin box will show a running tally) and hopefully, a few photos of the supplies being delivered.

The new year has arrived with much unrest in the world. Knowing that you are only two degrees of separation from a solution will hopefully lift your heart in the spirit of helping.

One global family, One loving heart...