Kenya Post-Election Violence

Soroptimist International Club Of Nairobi IDPs Relief Report Download

Dear Mariet,dear sisters,

Warm greetings from Kenya and Happy New Year. Our year has just began. Many Kenyans did not sleep last night but instead celebrated the re-birth of our country Kenya the whole night.

If the peace deal signed yesterday 28/2/2008 is implemented then this will be the second and hopefully the liberation we Kenyans have waited for many years.

We have lost lives of many dear ones in the violence, many friends have been displaced not mentioning our economy which in shambles. The purpose of writing this mail is sincerely thank you for your prayers and support during those trying moments. We used to get hope whenever we received your phone calls, messages and mails of encourage.You gave us hope each time

Kenyans especially the soroptimists are immensely indebted to the international communities for being so concerned with the plight of majority Kenyans who were suffering.

We are very proud of the world leaders who came out strongly to make sure that Kenya gets back on her feet.

My special thanks go to the eminent persons Benjamin Mkapa former President of Tanzania, John Kufour President of Ghana, Madam Grace Machel wife of his excellency Nelson Mandela former President of South Africa, Jakaya Kikwete the President of Tanzania, and the Chairman of the eminent persons, His Excellency Koffi Annan, who is the most patient man I have ever known. The Americans, the British, the Germans,the French, just to mention a few. Last but not least, the SI fraternity, especially SI/E President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen and our International friends.

To all Kenyan soroptimists, I know it was a big challenge trying to make a difference in the lives of those who were affected in IDP camps, I believe we did our best and should continue doing the same.

The healing process will take long especially for our members who were also displaced. But I wish to thank you very much for keeping in touch with one another throughout the period. Let us all remain soroptimist without tribes in Kenya. The biggest task we have is not just healing and reconciliation, but also resettlement of those displaced.

GOD bless all of you and your families.

Thank you.

Yours in friendship

Mary Theresa Odongo

Governor – Si Kenya

 

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Kahlil Gibran

News from Kenya The political unrest in Kenya has reached a critical point and resulted in ethnic and tribal clashes of catastrophic proportions for the population. The Kenyan Soroptimists are working together with the Red Cross and other NGOs to bring immediate relief to the homeless and displaced persons who have sought refuge in police stations, churches and camps. Most of them are women and children who have no means of sustenance. There are also minority groups living in slums who were unable to leave their homes and who are in a desperate situation. Immediate help is desperately needed for buying blankets, clothes, food, medication… For many of them it is a matter of survival. There are women and children who have no one to turn to and no one to help them! The on site Soroptimists are doing what they can but also need your help. SI/Europe has already forwarded funds to the Kenyan Union from its emergency fund. If you also want to contribute to bringing immediate aid to the women and children of Kenya you can send your contributions to:

 

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Message from SI/E President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen to Union of Kenya

sent on 2 January 2008

 

Dear Union President Mary, dear Soroptimists, dear friends,

 

 We are shocked seeing and hearing about the aftermaths of the elections in Kenya. We are with you in thoughts and hope that the two leaders will be wise enough to sit together and talk about this terrible situation to find a solution. We will pray for peace and for the safety of yourselves, your families and you loved ones.

So many have been driven from their homes and so many are already killed and injured and the excessive unrest is devastating. It is devastating enough to have to cope with the natural disasters that occurred last year, this is too much.

 

If there is anything SI/E can do for you please let us know. I still remember my visit to your country and also to the West where I had the chance to inaugurate Club Mumias. I hope that peace will find its way back to your country before it ruins too many things.

 

It's not only our own Federation who is in thoughts with you. Also SI Great Britain and Ireland are thinking of you and send you their support and prayers.

 

We hope to hear from you soon, so we will know that you are alright and safe. And again if we can help you in any way, let us know.

 

Take care and warm regards,

Mariet Verhoef-Cohen

President SI/Europe

 

Reply received on 4 January 2008

from Evelyn Lelle, Past Union President

 

I write on behalf of our Union President Mary Kundu who is currently off communication stuck in her rural home of Mumias where she had gone with her family for Christmas and for voting. The situation in Kenya is bad, thousands homeless and displaced, no food, no shelter and no clothing. The worst hit areas are Nyanza, western, Rift Valley, Nairobi, Mombasa .You notice these are all areas where our clubs are.

 

A number of our own Soroptimists are affected in Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru. We request for assistance of Action Fund to enable us purchase food and blankets, medicine to affected people in all these localities. We shall partner with other humanitarian organisations like Red Cross and our individual clubs.

 

You can only reach Mary Kundu on phone for the moment as it is dangerous to travel back to Nairobi as yet.

 

Your assistance in this matter will be highly appreciated.

 

Thanks for reaching out to us. Kindly share with our sisters in SIGBI

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