Update from BHW Kenya Partnership Facilitator

Key Person: Isaac Basegere

Recent Events

Activities

Kenya have recently had to deal with a number of devastating events; the locust swarms, Covid-19 pandemic and flooding. The combination of these things has had a huge negative impact on Nguluni Countryside School, the church, Pona Clinic and their residing community. 

School

Due to Kenya's lockdown restrictions Nguluni Countryside School has had to close temporarily as students are not able to attend. This has meant that families are not paying fees. The school was able to pay the teachers half of their salary this month enabling them to pay rent and buy food. BHW has recently sent US$700 from their Covid relief fund and $200 of this was used to top the salaries up. The school account is now empty and they are not sure how they will pay the next round of salaries. 

Pona Clinic

The Pona clinic is still operational as it is an essential service. They currently have nine staff employed; four medical personnel and five support staff. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, due to the effects of Covid-19 many of the patients are not able to pay their fees but they are still receiving treatment out of love. Currently the clinic's main issue is accessing PPE equipment. The price has drastically increased since the arrival of Covid-19 and it continues to rise. MEDS (Mission for Essential Drugs and Supply) have supplied the clinic essential drugs worth $754.50 on a credit basis. This will need to be paid back.

Greenhouse

The flood has destroyed the crops that where in the green house. The water levels have gone down in the last week allowing tomatoes and maize to be planted, which will hopefully be ready for harvest in three months. 

Personal Stories

The lockdown restrictions have caused many to lose their jobs and the combination of the floods destroying crops have left people without access to food. Part of the relief funds from Bright Hope World were used to support one member of the church who lost his whole home in the floods to have shelter. 

The Pona Clinic start each morning with a devotion which has touched many people and transformed many lives. Their theme for the week was ‘Let our God be touchable’. Along with this, they are also giving free treatment to those that cannot afford to pay their bill due to the affects of Covid-19 and the flooding.  US$200 of the relief funds from Bright Hope World have been used to support the clinic. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

As the above has highlighted, the clinic continues to have a massive impact on the community both in caring for the health of its members and also in sharing the love of God. The church also continues to support its members where it can and the school continues to support their staff assisting them in paying their rent and buying food for their families. 

Plans for the Future

For now these programmes are either on hold or just keeping their head above water. Time, prayer and support are needed for them to re-establish themselves.

Current Issues and Challenges

Lockdown restrictions have closed the school and stopped school fees coming in which has resulted in a lack of funds to pay staff salaries. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant job losses and the floods have destroyed crops causing people to have no access to food. 

Patients are unable to pay their fees at the clinic due to job losses but the clinic is still treating them out of love. The clinic however is struggling financially because of this. 

The greenhouse crops were destroyed due to the flooding. Although new crops have been planted it will be 3 months before the next harvest. 

Prayer and Praise Points

Praise God for the faith and strength of our partners in Kenya who despite all of the challenges they face continue to have hope and praise the Lord. 

Prayer is needed for provision, protection, and that the lands will dry and the harvests will grow. 

Comments

Although they don’t have large numbers of Coronavirus cases, Kenya has been impacted by many other factors as mentioned above. It will be a massive setback for Nguluni Countryside School and the clinic and it will take time to rebuild and start making a profit again.