The Tanks are empty again?

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“The Tanks are empty again? Did any water come in on Sunday? Or last Wednesday? Ok, I’ll call the water tanker” “Mumma water tanker noisy, don't like!”

There is a huge pile of washing waiting to be washed. 3 kids, African dirt, feeding themselves, costume changes, need I say more?

This is the first sign of a drought in the city, no water. In our area we get water twice a week and collect rain water, so when we have to call a water tanker, we know it’s starting to get bad.

The next sign, power cuts, Kenya’s power source is hydro, so no water means more power cuts.

More power cuts, means people use generators more, which means petrol shortages.

Petrol shortages means, it costs more to deliver food to shops, which means food prices go up.

Then the odd food item goes missing from the shelves, first Ugali, then Sugar, what’s next?

This has been happening on and off for 3 ½ years, so why is this drought any different from last years, people died last year as well? Well here are some hard facts for you for the word “famine”:
- Acute malnutrition rates among chidren exceed 30%
- More than 2 people per 10,000 die per day
- People are not able to access food and other basic necessities.
- (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Horn_of_Africa_famine)

A famine has been declared in parts of Somalia (which borders Kenya), people are crossing the border in hope for food, you can read some stories here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14084670

This means the Global Disaster teams have all flown into Nairobi to set up, distribute food, help setting up camps, making action plans, etc. It reminds us of the Tsunami response and we have seen many of the old Tsunami team again who have flown in.

I guess, we always heard about drought in Africa and people dying of starvation. But living here now . . . . it is so close to home. Throwing away the kids scraps has taken on a new meaning, I really struggle with it.

On the home front June was Murrays conference month. He hosted the Annual WASH conference at Malindi in Kenya. As usual the kids and I tag along and meet Murrays team from around the world. It went well and we enjoyed some family time before the conference started, it was amazing how the sea air relaxed us all. Murray then went to the UK for 2 more conferences, and caught up with some family and friends in the UK. Murray is now in Afghanistan working on his dissertation for his masters and checking up on the projects there. Please pray for safety.

We have had a busy few months with visitors. Some more friends left Kenya and spent their last few days staying with us, then Amy & Dan (Murrays cousins kid & hubby) came on their placement for college, and then my Mum and bro came over to play, which was great.

A member of our home group Geoffrey needed heart surgery, thank you to those who sent money, he had his surgery last week and is recovering well, praise God!

The kids are well, Charlotte will start back at school in September, in Top Class, which is the first year of primary school in the British System. Charlotte has been waiting to move to top class for at least a year, so she is excited! Hayley will start in September part time, we’ll see how that goes, she is really coming out of her shell and talking more, but still is very stubborn and not that social, she’s happy playing by herself. Emma is doing well, growing fast, and taking to food well. She is now off the chart in height for a 6 month old. She is incredibly social, and really enjoyed cuddles with Grandma Lois and Uncle Dan. She sits, bum shuffles while sitting and pushes backwards and spins around when on her tummy.

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Photos

The WASH team
Murrays conference

Hayley enjoying the pool
Murrays conference

Our Home Group
Geoffrey is sitting in the middle

Emma sitting up
6 months old

Emma
6 months old

Comments

[Daniel]

Where to donate
Great to see all of you again! If you want to make a donation toward the famine in africa you can do it at the WorldVision NZ Webpage. https://www.worldvision.org.nz/WaysToGive/East_Africa_Famine.aspx or at other similar organisations.