EARTHWARD
On the Move
Turn your vision earthward -
'Tis we must lend
a hand.
The Okello* family has received title to 2.85 acres of land in
the Kisumu, Kenya area, where their new home will be constructed.
While Peter* was there to finalize these arrangements, however, he
received devastating news, which prompted
his immediate return to Nairobi. Now he and his children, while
mourning the tragic loss of their wife and mother, have found the
strength to continue their struggle to return to self-sufficiency.
| This fence demarking the Okellos'* front
property line, was constructed using EARTHWARD provided funds.
The corn growing on the other side of the fence was planted by Peter*. |
Due largely to the generosity of our donors, the Okellos* have
had enough food and medicine to sustain them. Regrettably,
however, we have been unable so far to raise adequate funds to finance
their move to Kisumu within the hoped for time frame. Peter* has
shown remarkable endurance and ingenuity in improvising ways to stretch
limited funds for the maximum possible benefit. He was able to
find a way to send two of his children to Kisumu very
inexpensively.
Trucks from Kisumu regularly transport fish to Nairobi, and return
empty. His youngest and eldest child rode to Kisumu in one of
those trucks for far less than bus fare. It was undoubtedly an
uncomfortable and unpleasant journey.
Celine*, his eldest daughter has now started attending school
in the area, and is living in a school dormitory. Mick*, his
youngest
son, is now staying with a friend nearby. When the rest of the
family is able to join them in Kisumu, they will temporarily stay in a
mud hut, on their friend's property, while their new home is under
construction. The other children are also looking forward to
attending school soon after they arrive. You could help make that
happen. Please consider making a
contribution (click here) to help this
desperate family.
Update November 5, 2007:
Unfortunately, the members of the Okello* family remaining in Nairobi were evicted from their one-room dwelling because they were unable to pay rent. EARTHWARD donations thus far have been barely enough for minimal food supplies, but little else. On learning of their eviction, we were able to send them barely enough funds for them to finally relocate to the Kisumu area with Celine* and Mick*. They are now all living in the small mud hut mentioned above. They are now in urgent need of food, however. If you can possibly make a donation, now would be an excellent time. Please help!
Update June 1, 2008:
Though they had hoped to complete the roof construction on at least
some rooms of their new dwelling, before the rainy season last month,
sufficient funds were not available, so the Okello* family instead used
the limited funds EARTHWARD was able to provide to make minimal repairs
to the roof of the mud hut they are now living in. It was
fortunate that the rains were significantly less this year than
usual. Though municipal zoning prevents them from growing crops
on their own land, they have arranged to borrow some land to grow some
crops for their own consumption, and if there is any surplus, perhaps
to generate some income for their livelihood. They are still in
need of much help, however, as more supplies are needed for the
construction of their dwelling and the establishment of their computer
consulting business.
You can
help! (click here).
* To protect the privacy of the family concerned, fictitious names are used throughout this website, in reference to all members of that family.
| Imagine | Meet Peter* | What's
Done? |
| Hell on Earth | Ongoing Efforts | What's Next? |
| Tragedy Strikes | On the Move | You Can Help! |
| EARTHWARD Launches
Sponsorship Program |
||