Kapsabet, Kenya
We are currently feeding lunch to around 80 poor children and orphans every day from a makeshift camp set up in Kapsabet attached to a local church. We have employed two cooks and have been supplying daily meals of rice, maize and beans to the children. Some of them lost parents in the conflicts and are living in cramped conditions with relatives. Others have had their houses burned down and are struggling to live.

Although calm at the moment, the overall atmosphere is difficult. The government are trying to enforce the IDP’s (Internally Displaced People) to go back home, but in many cases they have been threatened and chased off their own land and found that their boundary posts have been moved. It is difficult to imagine how you could live next to a neighbour who, a few months ago attacked your family with a machete!

We have targeted vulnerable children, the elderly and widows in particular with our food, blankets and basic supplies. In an attempt to offer a longer term solution, Eagles Wings have purchased half an acre of land in Kapsabet to build a simple clinic for those in need of medical care. There are volunteer nurses from the local hospital and a pharmacist who have agreed to support this initiative. The remaining land will be used to grow beans, maize and potatoes for the orphaned children.

Kericho District Hospital
I made an early decision to support those living in trouble spots on both sides of the tribal divides. Kericho is a tea growing area and was hit badly with many killed in rampages through the tea plantations. Some of the photos I received were too bad to publish and they bring back horrifying memories of the reality of what took place. Dr. George Owiti, a good friend, and Dr. Betty Langat became our partners at Kericho District Hospital right in the middle of the conflict.

Kericho Hospital, Bishop Mark kariuki with Doctors Langat and Owiti

I received daily calls and texts for emergency supplies – blankets, bandages, dressings, antibiotics, pain killers, x-ray films etc. I responded by sending weekly amounts through on the condition I had a full report and clear evidence of purchase and use of our aid.

This information flow is always a challenge and it thrilled me to receive daily reports, pictures and all of the evidence and facts to prove that Eagles Wings’ money was being used for its intended purpose. We even supplied a wheelchair to a man who had been shot and crippled and I have had a stream of personal thank yous from patients who have gone back to the hospital to pass on their best wishes to us here in England who helped them in their time of need.
We continue to supply disposable latex gloves, blankets, mattresses, x-ray films, drugs and medication to Kericho District Hospital every month.

Over the nation we have identified 37 local community centres and churches where equipment, possessions, furniture, cars and buildings have been totally destroyed or vandalised. These places have been at the hub of many communities, and we know from the tragic burning to death of women and children in Burnt Forest near Eldoret that they have become places of refuge for the weak and vulnerable in the conflicts. I have been sending small help packages, around £50 to £100, to pay for food, clean water and basic living costs for those individuals who are known to me personally. The thank you texts I receive bring tears to my eyes. Food prices have doubled and fuel costs have spiralled upwards.

Many are still living rough and have been dispersed into smaller camps hoping that they can be rehabilitated into a safe tribal zone. This in itself is causing segregation and further conflict but it reduces the attention from the big camps and unwelcome international media interest. The aggressive and systematic destruction of houses, buildings, farm lands, vehicles and families is irreversible. It will take years to rebuild, but in our small way at Eagles Wings, we will target our assistance at those vulnerable ones who are brought to my attention.
In addition to this emergency aid we are committed to the regular support of our first girls home in Elburgon which is now operating successfully and with good sustainability.