The month is March 2020, yet it feels like we have lived the entire twelve months of the year in that period! From natural disasters of biblical proportions to miracles that continue to shake us. Through it all, God remains faithful, gracious and merciful, The great I am.
At the peak of the long drought in Kenya last year, MCF, with your prayers and support, took various intervention measures to cushion most vulnerable children and families in various parts of the country. More than 22 schools with an average of 550 pupils received a minimum of one hot meal per day while families received emergency relief packages. These efforts were carried out until mid February of this year.
While we were still recovering from the drought, in January 2020, Kenya and other East African countries witnessed a locust invasion of biblical proportions. Billions of desert locusts tore through fields, wiping out all vegetation on site, feeding on crops and pasture. This has resulted in destruction of food and is expected to result in very low crop yields and in turn renewed hunger.
In the midst of all that, we thank God for a miracle that averted the locust invasion crisis in our Ndalani and Yatta farms. The locusts had been spotted within a short distance from Ndalani the previous day, but through sudden and unexpected heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, the swarm of locusts was blown away towards a different direction. God sure is a God of mercy!
We praise God for continued healing of our biological daughter Ndondo, who suffered from full body paralysis between the months of December 2019 and January 2020. A special thank you to all of you who offered your prayers for healing as well as gave your love, time and resources to ensure her prompt access to quality health care. We cannot thank you enough, but only pray that our father in heaven meets the desires of your heart. Please continue to uphod Ndondo in your prayers for a full recovery.
In the last one month, there have been reported cases of an international pandemic due to the COVID-19 (Corona) virus which has led to lock downs of countries across the world.
On 13th March, Kenya announced its first case of a confirmed Covid-19 patient. As at 18th March, we have 7 confirmed cases in the country, all of which are persons who have travelled into the country from abroad in the last two weeks. As a result of these cases, the government of Kenya has banned entry into the country by all foreigners. Learning has been suspended in all schools and institutions with immediate effect. Additionally, all public gatherings, meetings, games, events, weddings among others are suspended. With increased cases being reported, the possibility of a complete lock down is quite high. To combat the spread of the virus, the Kenya government has issued mandatory steps to be undertaken to ensure that areas where more than 10 persons are congregating, are well sanitized with isolation facilities set up. This measures are directed to all institutions including ours which is home to thousands of children and hundreds of staff.
Given the thousands of children under our care, the Covid-19 pandemic has completely put a strain on our resources and become a big burden. Immediately after the announcement of the lock down, people across the country went on panic shopping leaving the supermarkets empty. Food, toilet paper, soap and other essentials are missing in most shops and supermarkets with prices of essential items being hiked. We estimate that an increased number of confirmed cases will result in complete closure of the local factories thus leading to scarcity of basic items. We however, still have an opportunity right now, of purchasing food items such as rice, dry maize, dry beans as well as detergent, bathing soap, sanitary towels for girls, toilet paper among other items for all the children to ensure we continue to provide proper care for all the children.
As directed by the government, and for our own safety, we urgently need to put up an isolation unit in Ndalani, where we can quarantine any child, staff or other person who might exhibit symptoms of the virus. The temporary structure will be equipped with beds and the necessary World Health Organization (WHO) and Kenya government recommended medical supplies such as medicines, masks for the medical staff and those infected, Biological hazmat suit, medical eye safety goggles among others. It is important to note that not only will we serve our children and staff, but also any emergency case arising in the community. As we speak, MCF remains the only well equipped medical facility within a radius of 50Km. We additionally wish to put up temporary housing for some of our crucial staff members in order to ensure that they are housed within our property and not outside where they might get infected and bring the virus into our property.
As part of our ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 among our children and staff, we have availed water and soap at various entry points to the property and within our properties to encourage hand washing and proper hygiene. We have additionally held various discussions and talks with all the children in order to discourage fear but at the same time to ensure awareness and proper knowledge of the ongoing pandemic. We however, need to set up more temporary mobile water tanks with taps and soap across the various project sites to ensure regular hand washing and proper hygiene.
Our prayer is that the pandemic will be contained and that it will not come near any of our children, staff and community. We however remain alert. We are aware that different parts of the world are facing quarantine and a difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please know that we are praying for you wherever you are. Indeed our eyes remain focused on the author of our faith, the author of life.
Please keep us in your prayers for the safety of our children, staff and neighboring communities. We wish to ask you to join us in prayers and giving where able to, so as to enable us construct the temporary medical isolation unit complete with equipment and supplies. We kindly ask you to also join us in praying for provision of the required resources to enable us purchase food and other essential supplies during this time of increased prices and limited supplies. More so, we ask you to pray with us that God will continue to strengthen our faith and hope in Him and to wholly lean and trust in Him. Our eyes remain focused in Him for we know that our help comes from the lord.
