Donation Drive Supports Flood Victims in Korogocho slum, Nairobi - Kenya
In April and May 2024, Kenya experienced heavy rains and floods resulting in over 530 people being killed, injured, or reported missing.
Many vulnerable families living in extreme poverty, including those in the Korogocho slum, were left homeless due to the floods or Kenyan government’s demolition of slums along riverbanks to prevent more casualties in case of future flooding.
Wake na Vijana Initiatives conducted a donation drive and we are happy to report that we managed to support 5 vulnerable families.
Meet the Beneficiaries
Rukia, 54 - Widowed Mother of Seven
Rukia is a 54 year old widowed mother of seven. Originally from the north eastern part of Kenya, Rukia moved to Korogocho at a young age where she lived with her husband and her children.
During the heavy rains, Rukia’s home was spared from the heavy floods since it was a little further up from bank of the river that goes through Korogocho.
When the Kenyan government gave the directive that all homes constructed along the river were to be demolished, Rukia thought that her home would be spared due to its distance from the river bank.
Unfortunately for Rukia, her home was demolished at the last minute with very little warning making it impossible for her to salvage all her meagre belongings.
Wambui Kimuhu, 76 - Korogocho Has Been Home for 30+ years
Wambui is a 76 year old grandma who moved to Korogocho more than 30 years ago. Back then, she was young, strong and able to run small businesses and do odd jobs, including washing people’s clothes for pay, to provide for herself and her children, Unfortunately, since she is advanced in age, she is no longer able to support herself.
“When I was younger, people would gladly let me do house chores and other odd jobs for them and pay me. But now, no one will let me do their laundry. They look at me and say, “grandma, I have work but I am sorry I can’t give it to you because I don’t think you are strong enough to do it well, “” she narrated tearfully.
Wambui was rendered homeless after her house was demolished due to its proximity to the riverbank. The demolition was so sudden that she did not have time to find an alternative place to spend the night and, just like Rukia, she ended up spending the night in the cold. When we met her, she was very distressed and a well meaning neighbor had served her a cup of tea and a few slices of bread.
“I didn’t have any clothes, soap or a mattress to sleep on. I am so happy I will finally have a goodnight’s sleep on this mattress. God bless Wake na Vijana Initiatives and God bless everyone who donated!” she said excitedly after receiving the donation.
Just like other beneficiaries, Wambui received a bar of soap, a mattress, a blanket, 4 kilograms of rice, 10 kilograms of maize flour and a loaf of bread.
Hassan, 42 - Survivor of Construction Accident
Hassan is a 42 year old man whose positive outlook on life is very inspiring in spite of the many challenges he has had to overcome.
Hassan, a construction worker, survived a serious fall while at one of the construction sites resulting in the loss of his front teeth and an injured leg that left him partially disabled.
We first met him when he was helping one of his neighbors to fix his house that had been damaged by floods. At that time, Hassan had also had to move from his house due to floods and was seeking refuge at another neighbor’s house that was on higher grounds.
“I am really grateful that you remembered us and for your support,” Hassan said when he received items donated to him.
Jacinta, 35 - Single Mother of Four Doing Odd Jobs To Support Her Family
Jacinta, 35 had her first child as a teenager at 17 years old. She now has three other children with the youngest one being under 5 years old. Jacinta lives in a small tin-walled, tin-roofed room with an earthen floor that she shares with her four children who she raises singlehandedly after her husband abandoned her.
When we first visited her house, her youngest child was sleeping on the floor with a muddy, wet carpet as the only thing separating him from the cold, muddy and wet floor. The floor was wet as a result of rain water seeping into the house through the muddy, uncemented floor.
Like many residents of Korogocho, Jacinta earns a living by doing odd jobs such as washing people’s clothes and house chores for as little as 200 (approx. USD 1.60) Kenya shillings a day. With four children to provide for and rent being 2000 (Approx USD 16) Kenya shillings per month, moving to a better house is not a option her.
Just like other beneficiaries, Jacinta received a bar of soap, a mattress, a blanket, 4 kilograms of rice, 10 kilograms of maize flour and a loaf of bread.
Jacinta would like to express her heartfelt gratitude to those who donated to her through Wake na Vijana Initiatives.
Peter, 63 - Lost Everything To Flooding and Demolitions
Peter, a 63 year old father of three boys has called Korogocho home for the past 20 years. When Korogocho flooded, his house was filled rapidly with water that he barely escaped with his family. Neighbors had to make a hole through the roof to rescue him and his family. As a result, all their property including clothes, important documents and mattresses were damaged.
Peter lost the rest of his property during demolitions and had to relocate and start over. He is very grateful for the support he received through Wake na Vijana Initiatives donation drive.
Help Us To Support More Families
Donate Now to Help Vulnerable Families Still Experiencing Effects of Flooding
KES. 8,600
1 HOUSEHOLD
KES. 33,900
5 HOUSEHOLDS
KES. 75,800
10 HOUSEHOLDS
Empower vulnerable women and youth in Kenya
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Your donation equips the most vulnerable women and youth in Kenya to become socio-economically empowered ending the cycle of extreme poverty and gender inequality through economic empowerment and gender equity programs.
We share the same vision as the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development. These are the nine Sustainable Development Goals we intend to meet.
Our Past and Current Partners, Sponsors and Donors
Empowering vulnerable women and youth in Kenya, Africa.
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ADDRESS
Joe's Complex Ruaka (Next To Clean Shelf Supermarket), 2nd Floor Room 5.
Phone
+254 (0)758 739 232
info@wakevijana.org
