Feeding The Hungry
.jpg "Horn of Africa")
Samaritan's Purse responded quickly to the famine that struck the Horn of Africa, providing urgently needed food and water to people on the Kenya-Somali border. Programme Officer Zeke Rhodes recounts his experiences of working on the front lines of this disaster..
I would say we are on the verge of a major catastrophe. The worst drought for years is causing a critical lack of water and a very serious lack of food security. I’m seeing many severely malnourished children. This tragedy doesn’t require our pity as much as our action.
I see so many children here but there are two from the same village who particularly stay on my mind. One boy is about seven years old, severely malnourished with a broad grin that reminds me so much of my little brother. I just know that his days on this earth are numbered.
Another child of four was born deaf and developed some mental disabilities. In order to protect him the people of his village tied a string around his leg, tied the other end to a tree and built a crude shelter where he spends his days and nights. I just can’t forget these two little ones.
.jpg "Feeding the hungry")
The people here have resigned themselves to day-to-day survival, never looking ahead further than the next day. Many have lost everything and their only hope is humanitarian assistance. The Kenyan villages I work in have seen all of their livestock die off. Water is brought in by truck but the rations aren’t enough to meet their needs. Some people seem to accept that the inevitable will slowly happen.
I’m always amazed, that even in these dire situations, the Kenyan people quickly jump at any chance to better their lives. I think the native Kenyan people feel forgotten because the international focus is towards the growing numbers in refugee camps. They often don’t meet the criteria for receiving refugee rations and medical support.
Samaritan’s Purse has developed sustainable programmes which gives those in need the opportunity to determine their own priorities. We are working on nutritional programming and improving hygiene, by creating latrines and wash facilities. We are also working with health clinics to increase capacity and train staff. I believe it is possible to prevent something terrible from happening. We are bringing a hope which extends beyond tomorrow.
Every day I work with individuals who have been forgotten. I remember a line from the Samaritan’s Purse policy which refers to ‘being where no one else wants to be and working with the people’. The love of Christ is shown through our actions and our work here. This is my attempt to alleviate suffering and in some way share His compassion and His love.
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