IDP Pipeline: Family Stories

Family Stories

IDP Before December 2007 many of the families at the IDP Pipeline camp in Kenya were leading normal lives. They had a home, a business, and were able to provide for their families. Then after the violence these families were forced to flee their homes due to tribal violence and are afraid to return. Many lost their homes, businesses and even family members. Every family at the camp has a horrific story to tell and all are faced with extreme hardships that vary from family to family.

The following stories are typical of all of the 1,000 families that reside at the IDP pipeline camp.

IDP In an economy that has little to offer it will take time and lots of hard work to get these families back to the life they once led. Many are working just to provide a little food for their families so they can survive. During this daily struggle many children do not attend school because their parents can’t afford the bare minimum to send them to school. It is very critical that these children return back to school as soon as possible so that when they are of working age they have the skills to provide for their families and future generations.

If you would like to donate, even a small amount would not be turned down. Also, you have the opportunity to sponsor a child of your own.

Gideon Kuria Ndegwa

After prolonged labor pains at a village clinic this boy was taken to Koru mission hospital to be born. He was born on December 14th, 2004. As an infant Gideon did not know how to breastfeed and instead was given glucose water. His development progressed much slower than children normally do. This was a clear indication that he had a mental handicap. In addition, the boy has poor vision. Even now the boy has trouble chewing food, speaking, and going to the bathroom. He is in desperate need of attending a school for the mentally challenged. However, this type of school is costly for the parent and due to lack of money he stays at home. The family is hoping for a donor so that he can learn basic tasks so that later on in life he can be more self-sufficient.

3 children ready to return to school

The uncle of these three girls is unable to provide them with the proper funds in order for them to attend school. After the election violence their mother ran away and left them with their uncle. He previously had five children of his own. He is a good-hearted man, and willing took the burden of raising these children, as he could not let his nieces suffer on the streets alone. Their ages are thirteen, ten, and six and they are hoping very much to get back to school and lead a normal life.

Elizabeth's family

IDP The mother of these children is Elizabeth Waithira. She has seven children aged 22, 19, 15, 9, 6, 4, and 1. The children lost their father right after the election violence due to stress, which induced a heart attack. Now the eldest son has the responsibility of being the family’s provider and spends his time searching for food for the family. The 19 year old pictured on the far right is mentally handicapped and is in need of a school for the mentally challenged. The 15 year old is not pictured because it was the only one the mother was able to send to school. The others are in need of a donor who can provide them with the opportunity to receive an education.

Family in great need

This woman has two children that are not attending school and two that currently are thanks to a donor. Life is very difficult for this family. They lost their father due to HIV and their mother is currently living with HIV and schizophrenia. Once this disease claims the life of their mother their future will be like a feather in the wind. It is very much my hope that donors like you can help blow them in the right direction.

Ken

On a personal note I’d like to talk about one of the boys, Ken, who has a great smile and a beautiful heart. One day as I was running and Ken and several other children came up alongside me and began running. He was pushing a bike tire with a stick the whole time, while barefoot. By the time we had finished I had estimated we had ran 2 and a half miles at about 8:30 mile pace. He even kept getting ahead of me, which is amazing for a boy of 10 years. As we finished he was the only one who even remotely was able to keep the pace. He looked up and just stared at me with the biggest smile. It melted my heart so much that I just had to give him my last mini-fudge bar.

Family of 11

This is a family of eleven children. Half of them stay with their grandmother because the tent is too small and are able to attend school with her help. The others stay with their parents in the tent. One of the girls being held by her mother has cerebral palsy, eats very little and is afflicted by reoccurring malaria. While in the tent interviewing the family the girl cried the whole time. The parents say that is all she does all day long. The parents do not have enough money to give this child and their other children that stay in the tent the resources that they need to become properly educated. They are in serious need of outside help.