Millions of families are facing a devastating food crisis in Kenya, after what the Disasters Emergency Committee has called the worst drought in 60 years. As a result of the rain failure in late 2010, livestock and crops have been wiped out and food prices have risen steeply.
The manager of the Maua Street and Destitute Children's Home in Meru district, Ambrose Gichunge, has this report:
'The news of the famine in Kenya and particularly in Meru are very distressing as it becomes more severe as days goes on. People around us are very much affected by famine. I am sad to say that last week two children from Lukununu village died when they ate wild toxic beans because of hunger. The Igembe North District Commissioner last week sent an appeal for help to save the famine stricken families. Many people here are sleeping with empty stomachs, and if they manage to get one meal in a day they thank God.'
As a local councillor and overseer of over 35 rural churches in the Meru Region, Ambrose is well placed to mobilise his team to set up food distribution stations throughout the local area, as he did in 2009 to relieve the previous food crisis. At the moment however, New Life Nyambene simply doesn't have enough funds to pay for food for the local communities, as well as the children living at the Street Children's Home.
Can you help provide food to families in desperate need?
For more info about New Life Nyambene, visit the charity website at http://www.newlifenyambene.org
