Following four successive failed rainy seasons, Kenya is amid the worst drought in 40 years. Crops have failed for the 4th season in a row, causing what little food there is available to be prohibitively out of reach for many struggling families. River beds have dried up in Northern Kenya, resulting in both wild and domestic livestock dying. Here is our Nakuru project manager’s unedited report of our most recent food distribution to West Pokot and Turkana counties.

Hello Everyone,

Earlier this month Springs of Hope Foundation loaded two pickup trucks of food hampers to be transported by courier to  Kapenguria, West Pokot, and Lodwar, Turkana. Our team led by myself, Administration Manager, Antoinette Hoareau accompanied by Nelson Kanandi and Joseph Lotukoi who are both medics departed the following day via matatu, spending the first night at Kapenguria and then proceeding to Lodwar, Turkana County the following morning. We attended a church service at KAG in Lodwar town and then Bishop Wilson Lokaale drove us into Nakaparan village, Turkana Central, 50 kilometers away to distribute our food hampers to the elderly, the disabled, and the vulnerable families, who do not know where their next meal will come from. They have several rivers running across their land, but all are dried up as they have not had rain for the past three years. Their land has dried up with no grass to feed their livestock, the majority of which have perished. The women dig holes in the river beds, hoping to get a few drops of water to drink. The water is muddy and brown, but that does not stop them from drinking it. They were gathered next to one of the dried-up river beds, where they all sat patiently listening to the word of the gospel from Bishop Wilson Lokaale, after which we distributed the food hampers. They were overjoyed to receive the food. They in turn danced and praised the lord for sending us. They prayed and said a lot of thanks. We drove back to KAG Church in Lodwar town, where we found more elderly people waiting for us. We distributed the food hampers and they were more than grateful, praying for the hands that contributed to the food hampers may be blessed abundantly. The next day we distributed food hampers to the elderly who were unable to come to the Church ground.

At 4 a.m. Tuesday morning, we boarded the matatu for the all-day drive back to Kapenguria, West Pokot. We departed at exactly 4 a.m. to avoid any confrontation with bandits during daylight. We arrived at Kapenguria, where Nelson Kanandi led us to the First Lady Scovia Kapchapin West Pokot County’s office, she warmly welcomed us to her office and after we introduced ourselves, she was kind enough to postpone all her other duties and agreed to accompany us to Cheptram Village, in Riwo ward the next day for our food distribution. The villages were anxiously awaiting our arrival and welcomed us wholeheartedly. The traditional dancers performed for us and after our First Lady gave her speech, we distributed the food hampers. The First Lady also contributed $1.00 for each recipient to enable them to take some of the maize to the posho mill to be ground into porridge flour. They blessed us with Maasai blankets to express their gratitude for our visit. The area is very dry with no signs of rain. It was unfortunate that we had to cut short my time with this mission and head back to Nakuru the following morning, Thursday as spending time with and assisting the people in these desperately dry and drought-stricken areas is such a privilege and joy for us. The following were the words from Cheptramp villagers a few days after we left:

Asante Sana,

Antoinette Hoareau

Nakuru project manager

We can’t thank our generous supporters enough for allowing us to continue with this desperately need food hamper program through your kind donations. As we go into another season of very little rain in Esat Africa our fear is that many will continue to suffer from malnourishment.

Thank you so much,

Asante Sana,

Many Blessings,

Jennifer Hughes-Bystrom