Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me.
Those Biblical words inspired MAF Kenyan worker Anthony Chege to take action as his fellow northerners faced starvation.
With the help of family and friends, Anthony raised more than 3 tonnes of food donations, in just 2 days.
Donations by MAF supporters made it possible to fly the food to Lodwar and Korr.
Lodwar, the largest town in north-western Kenya, has developed a reputation as an isolated outpost removed from the rest of Kenya.
Travelling from Nairobi by bumpy roads would take at least two days – if passable.
The Cessna Grand Caravan’s arrival was greeted by pastors of the Lodwar Pastors’ Fellowship, who will help distribute the food supplies.
Onboard the plane was:
- 19 x 25kg bags of UNIMIX enriched maize and bean flour used to fight malnutrition
- 1 x 15 kg bag of UNIMIX
- 5 x 90kg sacks of maize flour
- 3 x boxes containing green grams and beans
No relief in 4 months
Pastor Charles tells us that they experienced great joy and answer to prayer upon hearing MAF was on its way.
He informs us it has been 4 months since the World Food Programme stopped transporting food supplies to the Turkana area. With many villages without road access, along with the high cost and scarcity of fuel, the challenges are clear.
Food shortages has also caused an increase in crime as people are desperate to survive.
The food was transported to two outlying villages: Nabulon and Dodos.
‘Our arrival is met with smiling faces,’ reports Judith Dupuis, MAF Information Co-ordinator. ‘But looking beyond the smiles one cannot help but notice the tell-tale signs of malnourishment. Skinny arms and sagging skin upon frail bodies are hidden under the traditional Turkana clothing.
In other news...
Following the survey carried out last week by Disaster Response Manager John Woodberry and Accounts Assistant Thomas Mollu, MAF will start a twice weekly shuttle service from Nairobi to Dadaab.
This shuttle will serve missions, churches, NGOs, donors and agencies involved in relief and development projects. The service begins this Thursday.
Pilot Derek Moores flew Kenya Assemblies of God and their relief arm Convoy of Hope to Wajir. They then travelled another two and a half hours by car to visit a borehole project to see whether it could be expanded. Whilst in the area they also distributed some food.
MAF flew a second flight to Korr carrying 900kg of food for distribution among the local people. This plane was a routine charter by a Korean group ‘Health and Education’, and was to fly to Korr empty to pick the team up. So to make the most of the flight the program took the opportunity to fill it with food.