IDPs at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church
February 11, 2008
I went to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church yesterday morning. St. Stephen’s is the center for receiving Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Nyanza. The night before, 7 busloads of people (all Luo, presumably) arrived at about 9:30PM. There were volunteers there ready to receive them – to register them, to feed them, to provide medical care to those who need it, and to provide some post-traumatic stress counseling. This effort, while led by the Red Cross and several different churches, is a true community effort, with Indians, muslims, and other non-Luo members of the community contributing.
The community coming together is one positive thing that has come out of the horrid events that have occurred since the announcement of the December 27 results. These IDP have many needs. Many are separated from their spouses or parents; many have not had much if anything to eat for days; some have been physically injured; all have been uprooted from places that they have lived for years and, in most cases decades. They are all traumatized, and you can see it on their faces, in their eyes. While there are many immediate needs, of great concern are the longer term implications of this large influx of people from other areas of Kenya.
The day after arriving in Kisumu, they are provided transport to their traditional home areas. But in many cases, they have not lived in these areas for decades. How will they be received in these communities? How will they be supported? Will the children – and many children are coming – be accommodated in the schools? How will they afford school fees, uniforms, school books, etc. Everyone is aware that conflicts are highly likely, and many of these people may be rejected, or at least not well supported in their home areas.
I am not sure that HEAL can hope to address these issues, but I thought you would like to be aware. Possibly we could support a few children to attend school, or provide some small funds to get a family started with a small business. For now, these IDP are being well taken care of (there are 40 buses expected tonight, and many people are preparing for their arrival). Perhaps HEAL can assist a few individuals to address their longer term challenges.
All the best,
Bob
Am currently based in the UK and i would to get the email or contact no for St. Stephen’s Cathedral Kisumu to see how we can help
Boniface Omondi – Thanks for your interest. Bob, who you have met in this pages, is currently in Nairobi and has the requested contact information and details. Also, HEAL is looking to work directly with St. Stephens allowing the possiblity to work with or through this organization. I will post all the information here as soon as I get it. Thanks again – The Editor.