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"Gangs of youths came and chased us from our house, they killed my son," reported Solomon, "I have a small kiosk where I used to sell food, everything was destroyed; I have 11 children in my house who need food."

"I used to have a small business selling fish, I used the money to support my children and two orphans," Wilfreda said almost in tears." The gangs of youths stole my fish and the things in my house. Now I have nothing."

"I used to be able to support my family from my auto parts shop," reported Moses, "but the youths came and took everything, "I lost almost 200,000 shillings worth of stock in my store. Now I have no business."

Their experiences and the devastation that has crippled so many small scale business in the slums of Kisumu. One man had a nursery and now has nothing because his trees and plants were thrown on the road. Another widow lost more than 65,000 in used clothes she used to sell by the roadside.

All the stories had been substantiated by the committee set up to investigate which people had been impacted and who had genuine needs. And now they had gathered to come together to support each other and receive from the Rotary Relief Committee enough food to last them a week. We explained to them that it was not our intention to have them depend on us for all their needs but to encourage them with the basic provisions they need in the short term so that they can begin to rebuild their lives. All received food, some received medicine, others blankets and clothes. And then at the end of the program, after everyone had received maize, beans, sugar, bar soap, rice and cooking oil we took some time for a group photo. Then the pastor took a moment to pray. One small boy, about three years old came forward during the prayer, bowed his head, folded his hands and thanked God for Rotary. The experience warmed our hearts and made me glad to be a Rotarian.

This is why we are here and haven't left the country. Thank you for your support of our Kisumu/Vihiga Rotary Relief Committee. It was your generosity that enabled us to bring food to the needy. A number of other efforts have taken place as well. Bread and milk has been taken twice to the IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp in Kisumu, enough to feed every child who arrived on that day. Medicine was bought for people shot and injured in the Vihiga area. The "peace" T-shirts will be distributed in the next few days to the boda-boda drivers in town. Some of the pictures are attached.

Dan Schmelzer

Chairman - Kisumu/Vihiga Rotary Relief Committee

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Rotary District 5220 - Serving California's Central Valley and Mother Lode