In today’s world, most of the market advertisements show that what you are currently getting is better than what was previously available in the market and to show the difference, there is always the “BEFORE” and “AFTER” picture. We too want to paint a similar image, without selling anything apart from sharing with you the joy of the people of Nguutani.

BEFORE the rains came, the land was bare. Rivers had long since dried. We cannot mention anything about the availability of a blade of grass. Whatever blade was left in the ground was no longer green and it did not look like grass as it was so brittle. Donkey carts and women with 40 litre water containers walking up and down the dusty rugged roads was the order of the day. This was the only visible picture. As months went by and there was no sign of rain, the residents began to experience the effects of drought. The most affected were the children – especially the school going and the elderly. Being the most vulnerable in the society, they suffered the most.

On our highway – the Nairobi-Garissa Road, truck loads carrying animals to the slaughter house were seen plying the road. It was possible to fit in a very large number of the animals as they were so thin and only few made it to the slaughter house, many kilometers away. Camel herds would pass by the highway and even though this was a rare treat to the eyes, (we do not see camels in this part of the country) we can say they were a sight but not one to behold as they were so thin, tired and unhealthy looking. They had walked many kilometers looking for pasture and water. A number of them died on our highway.

School children were finding it hard to be in school. “Sister, I feel sick” they would tell Sr. Willimena and on further inquiry she found that some of them had gone to bed hungry the previous night and woke up to no breakfast. It was only after the country declared drought and famine a National disaster that food aid began to arrive in Nguutani.

AFTER months of drought, – high temperatures, the rains finally came in November and with it came support from our Sisters, benefactors and people of good will. School programmes were set up and children were able to get a meal of maize and beans prepared in school, with parents contributing the firewood and water used in the preparation of the meal. The children looked forward to lunchtime and this time round they were inviting Sr. Willimena to join them for the meal.

Our Community received financial aid which we used in the purchase of maize and beans for the local community. The aid was also extended to the students in our institutions – Mercy Commercial College and St. Monica’s Vocational Training Centre. The students were able to continue with their studies without these being disrupted by lack of food which they provide for themselves. The smiles on the women and children as they came to collect their rations was now a sight to behold! Even with the language barrier, there was still communication. The joy and the sharing were what made the encounter a fulfilling one. Although the rains have been pouring, the food crops are still in the growing stage and so the local community is still receiving food from well wishers. We are thankful to all those who have given us something to share with the community here in Nguutani. We are ever grateful to you for your generosity.

Felistas King’ori rsm
Kenyan Province