Hey,
I have created a new category within the blog which you can find on the sidebar to the right. It is called “How WE can help the people of Kenya”. It will basically be a list of ways you can get involved physically in taking Kenya to a brighter place following its current dip into the abyss. So let me begin with:
1) Nation and Standard Newspaper – For up to the minute commentary on what’s going on in Kenya from the largest media houses in the country.
2) Mashada – The most popular website in Kenya. The political discussion may get silly at times (as it does everywhere) but definitely peruse the website for some great gems of information. Remember: Clarity is power.
3) Reliefweb – I just discovered this website this morning. Through in my experience foreigners rarely have an inkling of an understanding of what people are thinking and feeling in Africa, I must promote this website for its a resource for the humanitarian societies and organizations of the world. Definitely a place where you can find links to places to donate your time or money.
Through Reliefweb I have found a number of non-profits that you can contribute to financially or through participation including:
4) Trócaire: They just launched an emergency appeal that you can be a part of.
5) Oxfam :I have been a fan of theirs for years now and what I like about them is that they have a lot of initiatives that centre around trade- for example a shop that sells ‘fair trade’ products shipped from Africa and Asia- and you can also donate to them as well. If you go to Reliefweb they have authored a report on the crisis.
6) Kenya Red Cross: No doubt you have either seen or read about the distribution of food by the red cross. They are on the ground dealing with the crisis as we speak and if I were to recommend you get involved with any group right now that would be Kenyan Red Cross. I have written an email to them asking how we in the diaspora can help and am awaiting their response.
7) UNICEF Kenya :Another organization that is on the ground as we speak and I recommend it as highly as the Red Cross is UNICEF Kenya. They have facilities on the website that allow someone to donate money.
8) Kumekucha Blog :If you are interested in being a part of a political solution to the process, I found this great blog that has a large, vibrant community full of lively debate. They have something that is coming to be known as the Cellar Group
who are drafting comprehensive resolutions and plans to deal with the situation. I believe the writers are all in Kenya so yet again you have access to people who have their pulse to the situation. I have also written to them to learn more about how we can help.
I hope these initiatives help get you started in the right direction. If you have anything to add, please leave a comment below, or trackback to my blog from yours. More to come soon so subscribe to receive updates.
Be blessed,
Mwas
Tags: kenya violence, kenya-elections, OXFAM, UNICEF
Sorry to quote in part from Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, in his speech to the league of nations but his words ring true today as they did then. This doesn’t just relate to the present day situation but the everyday security of Kenyans.
Until the philosophy which holds one tribe superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned:
That until there are no longer first-class and second class citizens of this nation;
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to their tribe or level of wealth;
That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and citizenship and the rule of morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained;
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed;
Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will;
Until all Kenyans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven;
Until that day, Kenya will not know peace.
Very deep. Very profound thank you for sharing that. I like your style; very fluid and very wrong. Would I be correct in assuming you are an idealist and a dreamer?
I like how you reeled me in with the complements before slamming me to the floor.
No am not an idealist nor a dreamer.
My point is that until the standard of living of the poor is addressed, which seemed to me to be the main cause of the upheaval- poor people trying to take advantage of a break in the fabric of society( due to election discrepancies/ even if Raila won the transfer of power would’ve provided this opportunity) to run a muck and possibly profit from it momentarily – if you have nothing to lose and live from day to day, hand to mouth you don’t think about tomorrow. There can never be real security in the country. It mightn’t happen in the grand scale that has been seen lately but nonetheless, violent crimes will continue to occur.
I can assure you that at the very least it was a compliment and at the very most it was that I felt a lot of similarities between what you wrote and some of the idealist heroes and thinkers I have had in my literary travels –like Biko, Malcolm X, Erwin Mcmanus among others. So keep it coming and I am sure I will put my foot in my mouth a few more times as we get to understand each other a bit better 😛
Apart from that! I agree with you 100%. Until people’s basic physical, emotional and social needs are met the seeds of discontent will always be there. That’s why through this blog and I hope am not alone in this, my intent and hope is that this explosion of discontent will result in a renaissance of political participation, genuine participation, by the poor. How would you suggest we go about making sure the poor get their needs met?
[…] I have already written about this to some extent.The one addition I have to make is: […]