Kenya Updates
Dear Friends and Supporters of Project Baobab,
We are deeply saddened by the increasingly grim reports about the Kenya presidential election crisis. Not only does the situation impact the political and economic stability of Kenya, we are concerned for the safety of our staff, teachers and students, mentors, Board members, and Advisory Council. I have been in touch with Jane Kunyiha and Ruth Kironji (staff) and they are safe, although food is becoming increasingly scarce. They are staying at home until the situation improves.
Wambui Kihanya is a Kenyan Project Baobab board member who lives in Seattle. Her brother, and our treasurer Francis Kihanya, returned to Kenya last year. Last night she talked with Francis and gave us the attached update just now. I wanted to share the situation firsthand with all of you and will continue to do so as we get more information.
Gee Gee Williams,
Founder & Executive Director
From Wambui Kihanna:
Gee Gee,
After we talked yesterday, I was able to get through to Francis. He and I both appreciated your concern for our family and the unfortunate violence and sad state of affairs in Kenya.
It is not clear how things will move forward from current state. This is major challenge and a surprise that it turned so sour and so quickly and that tribal/ethnic issues are being fueled, people are being beaten and even killed. What is even more surprising is despite the fact there have been tribal concerns, for many Kenyans and friends of Kenya, there are usually no conscious decisions to leave out certain tribes/ethnic groups in development and resources.
A lot of the trouble and violence is in isolated places most of which are the slums like Kibera and other poor areas but it is spreading. It is spreading fueled by the passing of time with no fair solution, anger about the violence and deaths, and the loss of hope and faith in the leaders and lack of supplies as businesses stay closed. Poverty/economic empowerment is a big part of this struggle.
Gee Gee, Project Baobab is a great program and in Francis’ words, “it’s even more critical now that PB stays the course of good work in Kenya”. We are doing the best we can with the youth in Kenya, helping them to be economically empowered so they can be our future ethical leaders. We have a lot of support in Kenya and the US from various people, institutions and donors. It must be difficult for our supporters and donors to see this situation and they must be asking a lot of questions. While we don’t have answers for how things will unfold, for Project Baobab, when the situation is resolved, and it will, there will be even more work to be done. Can we ask for their continued support? We still need their support.
We can only hope that that both Kibaki and Raila will come to a compromise for the sake of the people soon. I am headed back from lunch and we will be in touch and keep praying a workable solution is found and put in place soon.
Regards,
Wambui
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January 3, 2008
Dear Project Baobab Supporters and Friends,
I received this from Sam Waweru this morning. Sam is on our Advisory Council and is the Chief Financial Officer for Gertrude hospital in Nairobi. Thank you for your concern and interest as demonstrated in the number of people who wrote back after yesterday’s update.
Believe that peace will come,
Gee Gee
Dear Gee Gee,
Happy New Year!
We truly appreciate your concern for those of us in Kenya during this difficult moment in our history. We are all holding onto the hope that the situation will normalize. The violence has been very intense in the slum neighborhoods but a lot of business cannot be transacted due to logistical challenges, barricaded roads, riotous mobs and security checkpoints. The City Centre is however still relatively intact with no real cases of looting or damage.
I am safe with my family and though the prices of essential goods have skyrocketed, the situation is still manageable. I resumed work on Wednesday and it has been possible to access my office since it is in the relatively safe neighborhoods. We are an essential service provider and can’t close, being in healthcare service.
I am certain we will pull through this one and Kenya will rise again and will not go the Liberia/Sierra Leone/Somali way.
We covet your prayers at this crucial time as we wait for a political solution.
Thanks and we will keep in touch.
Sam Waweru
