The Salvation Army responds to human suffering in Kenya

The Salvation Army in Kenya has responded to the needs caused by ongoing drought throughout 2023, with more predicted to come.

The unprecedented drought in Kenya, caused by five consecutive below-average rainy seasons since the end of 2020, has caused untold human suffering.

Nearly five million people have lacked access to enough water for drinking, cooking and cleaning, with particular consequences for women and girls who often compromised their own needs (including menstrual hygiene) to provide for their families.

Damaris Frick, Director of The Salvation Army International Emergency Services said, “We were able to respond to this humanitarian effort in Kenya thanks to donations from around the world. For those of us who have never witnessed it, it can be hard to imagine the scale of human suffering caused by the lack of such a basic human need as water. I am grateful to everyone who enabled The Salvation Army to respond with compassion to the most vulnerable in Kenya during this humanitarian crisis.”

Salvation Army teams have provided basic food supplies, including cooking oil, to those in desperate need.

The Salvation Army in Kenya responded to the crisis, which has impacted people throughout 2023. These multiple responses included the provision of food parcels containing maize, beans and cooking oil to more than 4000 households in 83 communities.

An additional 59 schools have received similar products through being enrolled in the ‘Food for Fees’ project, where food was then deducted from school fees. More than 12,000 students benefited from this initiative, with each child receiving five nutritious meals (three main meals and two snacks) each day for three months.

Major Musa Barasa, district officer in Turkana, said, “The ‘Food for Fees’ program has really brought great impact to education in Turkana. School teachers, the Board of Education management and the community are very grateful, thankful and proud of The Salvation Army for this initiative.”

In addition, The Salvation Army has provided personal hygiene items to 5,225 students in 24 schools. Although these schools are not part of the ‘Food for Fees’ program, they still received bags of maize, beans and cooking oil to provide nutritious school meals for students.

Water bowsers (delivery tankers) were employed to deliver water for cooking, drinking and washing to schools in some of the most affected communities in Turkana.

Self-Denial Appeal 2023

The Salvation Army’s work in Kenya is highlighted in this year’s Self Denial Appeal in Australia.

Your generous donations help to contribute to programs such as ‘Food for Fees’, as well group savings programs, business training and leadership initiatives – especially for women. This empowers them to provide for their families, feel a sense of worth for themselves and give hope to other women for brighter futures.

The theme for the Self Denial Appeal 2023 is ‘A Gift from the Heart’. It encourages us to consider the blessings we have from God and how we can use those to bless other people.

Please consider donating to this year’s appeal – it’s not too late!

When you give to the Self Denial Appeal you can choose to give your gift to mission support OR community development.

Mission Support funds are non tax-deductible. They support the evangelical ministries delivered in developing countries. These funds are also used for the provision of church halls, residences for officers, computers and training.

Community Development donations are tax-deductible and only support community development projects. Examples include projects for poverty alleviation, clean water and microfinance.

For more information, or to safely donate online, click here.