Friends of Londiani

Nyairobi Village Londiani Lelsothet Farmers Village Kamwingi Londiani Camp

FOL Directors visit Kenya

Maria Kidney and Martin Ballantyne travelled to Kenya on the 10th March to meet with FOL staff, local partners and communities.

This was a difficult trip because there has been so much devastation in many villages and towns. The people have been deeply affected by the fighting and unrest but with peace slowly being re-established, the Kenyan welcome was still heartfelt and warming. There were many mandazi’s and cups of chai throughout the week!

We spent the week visiting all the communities that we work with and all our projects. We are delighted to confirm that FOL will continue to work with the communities and will support the work of the other non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) in the town and villages. GOAL, Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Kenyan Red Cross are currently in Londiani to help with the crisis. As the emergency situation eases they will gradually withdraw their services.

Many people have fled their homes in fear and have sought refuge in temporary camps. There are five camps for displaced people in Londiani and they will soon be amalgamated into one central camp. GOAL have been working there putting in water and sanitation on site. There is a committee there that will manage the camp along with the Kenyan Red Cross. We met with the Chairman of this committee to establish a relationship ensuring we can work together into the future.

Following our week of meetings and visits, FOL have committed to the following projects:

1. Provide rain water tanks, piping and installation for the main camp in Londiani town.
2. Provide special care for the Love and Hope Group (HIV positive support group) in Londiani. This group has 30 adults and 2 children and some of our volunteers worked with them during Harambee 2007. Twenty-eight of the adults are now living in the church. This care will include the provision of multi vitamin tablets, special creams, etc.
3. Provision of uniforms for all children who need them in the Central Primary School in Londiani. This school has new pupils from the camps, and has lost several pupils as they have become displaced.
4. Provision of a salary for the 2 Nursery Teachers and 1 Cook in the Central Primary School. These teachers are normally paid by the parents of the children in class, but since most of these now come from the camp they haven’t a schilling to spare.
5. Provision of medical supplies for the camps in the area and the provision of underwear and sanitary towels for women in all camps.
6. Provisions of powdered milk for children in the camps whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.

We spent some time with Fathers Martin, Con and Brian. They are doing amazing work and sincerely appreciate the financial support of the emergency appeal. We also met with representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and our partnerships will continue.

The water project in Ndubusat continues and is being managed by the local authorities. The community centre in Londiani is almost complete and looks fantastic. We had meetings there for community groups and it is really serving its purpose. The school in Ndubusat is also looking fantastic and the Clinic is thriving and busy. Benditai is doing well and the schools are open.

All the communities send their wishes to Friends of Londiani in Ireland.

For comments or questions please contact:
Friends of Londiani, 9 Cois Cuain, Mosestown, Whitegate, Co. Cork; Telephone: +353 21 4662730; info@friendsoflondiani.com