In 2011, the East Africa region experienced its lowest rainfall levels in 60 years. As household food supplies were depleted, the average prices for food rose at alarming rates. Over 13 million people were affected, and many were unable to purchase food to meet their families’ needs. World Renew responded.

Through the accumulated funds in its Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) account, combined with the on-going generous support of individuals, churches and organizations, World Renew was able to provide food assistance, safe water, livestock feed, and veterinary care to 25,000 households in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.  More than 170,000 people were assisted. 

When poor rains threatened harvests again in 2012, close to 2.3 million Kenyans were once more facing severe food shortages. World Renew continued its response, this time providing six months of food rations to 7,400 households (59,200 people) in the Coastal Region of Kenya, and to 900 conflict-affected households (7,200 people) in Isiolo County, through CFGB-funded projects. Due to recurring droughts in the region, World Renew also continued its food assistance efforts in Somalia through October 2012 and in Ethiopia through December 2012.

“I live in a small village, about 20 kilometres from the food distribution site,” said Rose* to World Renew’s International Relief Managers Harry and Annie Bergshoeff, during a food distribution in October 2012. 

“I am so thankful for this project as I have 14 children to feed; four boys and ten girls. They range in age from two to 22. My husband is unemployed and as I am occasionally able to get some small odd jobs, he stays with the children. Our cow died last year due to illness. We used to have four goats to provide us with milk but we had to sell them because we could no longer feed or give them water. Our water source is a three-hour walk away from home and we have to pay five shillings for 20 litres of water. We use only what water is absolutely necessary for living.”

Rose and others in her community receive monthly rations of 50 kg of maize, ten kg of split peas, and some cooking oil. This has made a world of difference for Rose’s family.

“The children had not been attending school before the first food came,” Rose explained. “With only one or two small meals of ugali or cassava per day, they did not have enough energy. School is from 7 am to 4 pm and the walk is one hour each way. This past month, their energy has returned and they now go to school happily and even take a little lunch along!”

In exchange for the food rations, Rose and other food assistance recipients have agreed to work twelve days each month on a community improvement project. Their project is to build a water pan that will collect and store water when the rains come and provide a source of clean water to those in the area.

“I am very happy to earn my food and am excited at the idea that soon my water supply will be closer to home.”

“I really enjoy working in the water pan, especially since I have lots of energy now,” said Rose.  “I am very happy to earn my food and am excited at the idea that soon my water supply will be closer to home.”

While this is not the first time that an outside organization has come to work in Rose’s community, Rose felt that this response was different than the others. 

“I am so pleased with this World Renew project,” she said. “We were fed even before we started to work. The names of the beneficiaries and the criteria to receive food were posted so we could trust that this was a fair project. Every bag was given to the beneficiaries – none was missing and none was left over. I am so thankful to God for His provision for me and my family!”

This project in the coastal region of Kenya will continue until March 2013. By that time, World Renew is hopeful that the short rains will have come and a new crop will be ready for harvest. Please pray that this will be the case and that food security will come to this region that has experienced so much hunger.

Please also give generously.  March 3 is Canadian Foodgrains Bank Sunday (Canada only) in Christian Reformed Churches.  Materials have already been sent to churches and can also be viewed online. 

* name has been changed