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And Now, For a Little Perspective

This was in my inbox today... One of my aunts (Val) spent time as a volunteer at this orphanage in her 20s, and I was so impacted by her pictures and her stories. Please take a few minutes to read about what is happening in Kenya, and how it is affecting the work of this charity that cares for the country's orphaned and abandoned children - and if you're able to do something (a donation, a fundraiser, or a prayer), please help.

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There are days when news of our world renders us powerless to do anything about the chaos. There are also days when we have the opportunity to offer peace and comfort to our global family in crisis. Today is such a day.

On December 29th, while we enjoyed the peace of an abundant Canadian Christmas, Kenyans watched in disbelief as the peace of their country began to unravel. Since then, more than 350,000 Kenyans have been displaced and hundreds have died in tribal clashes.

For those who have not been introduced to our work, the Mully Children’s Family Charitable Foundation is a registered Canadian charity; a humanitarian organization that provides for 1,500 of Kenya’s orphaned and abandoned children. Through our African field partner, the Mully Children’s Family, founded and run by Charles Mulli, street children facing abandonment, abuse, additions or HIV/AIDS are welcomed regardless of religion or tribe. The Mully Children’s Family has been rescuing such children for 19 years. Over 3,500 children have been rehabilitated and have returned to their communities, modeling the same compassion that was offered to them by a man the children call Daddy, Charles Mulli.

350 children left the Mully Children’s Family homes to spend Christmas holidays with their extended families in Eldoret and Mombassa; areas ravaged by violence and bloodshed. These children and staff members have yet to be heard from due to the mass exit from Eldoret and a breakdown in the country’s communication system.

With road blockages throughout the country, without military support, Charles cannot travel to these areas to locate the children. Plans are in place to find the children and bring them home the moment it is safe to do so. Trauma counselors will be in place to guide all the children through this horrendous time. In addition to added costs for the rescue and counseling, food costs in Kenya have tripled.

At a time when Charles and his wife Esther must be overwhelmed by worry for their missing children and staff, he is extending compassion in a way most of us cannot identify with. Charles has worked in Kenya’s slums for years and has expertise in caring for large numbers of people. Plans are in place to offer emergency aid to 15,000 families who have seen their houses burnt, communities looted and horrific violence. For $50, families will receive trauma counselling, spiritual guidance, three hot meals a day, clean and safe drinking water, clothing, basic health care, increased sanitation (pit latrines to cut down on infectious diseases) hygiene products and recreational activities and sports for the children. MCF’s staff are in place and eager to start the work. They need the funds, and quickly.

Charles has vast experience with emergency food drives as he helps thousands each Christmas and during periods of drought. He has worked in Kenya’s slums for years. With 1,500 mouths to feed on a daily basis, he knows where to find bulk food for the best cost. In short, donations to our emergency fund will be stretched to maximum value.

The Canada Helps logo on our website offers you the opportunity to act immmediately. All funds are Tax receiptable. Cheques can also be mailed to MCFCF, PO Box 93014, 1111 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 8K3.

In addition to asking for a donation for emergency relief, we are asking you to join us, and spread the word of how Canadians can rally together and offer comfort to Kenya's traumatized children.

For those interested in taking this initiative further, visit the Crisis relief page for a simple fundraising activity you can ask your child’s school to participate in. In our years of working with schools and teachers, Canadian students have the ability to achieve greatness when they set out to help children in other countries.

Words fail to express our gratitude for support for our family at MCF as well as extending yourself to displaced Kenyans who will never have the privilege of thanking you in person.

Thanks also for your prayers for a Peaceful resolution. Please keep storming the heavens on the children's behalf. These little ones belong to Him.

Help us bring the smiles back to the children's faces.

Learn more at www.mcfcf.ca.

Labels: Current Events, From My Inbox

posted by Lindsay @ 3:25 PM