IMPACT OF POST ELECTION VIOLENCE ON KUPENDA'S CHILDREN

IMPACT OF POST ELECTION VIOLENCE ON KUPENDA'S CHILDREN

Kupenda's children were not spared by the post elections violence that rocked the country after the electoral commission of Kenya announced the disputed presidential results on 30th December 2007, Kenyans went into the streets demonstrating against the rigged results, killing of innocent citizens and torching of houses was observed in many parts of the country. The government had no other choice but to postpone the opening day of the schools in the country for fear of insecurity.

The post elections violence is still having an impact on the children up to now. Some foodstuffs are no longer in the school menu because they are either missing in the market or their prices have been hiked because people are fearful of traveling the roads to deliver these things. On Monday February 4th 2008 the children at Gede special school and Marereni hearing impaired unit received another blow when the American volunteer teachers (peace corps) were withdrawn from the schools due to insecurity, creating acute shortage of teachers in institutions already understaffed.

When schools opened on 14th January, Kupenda children in Malindi district like any school child in the country had missed classes for one full week. Children with cerebral palsy receiving occupational therapy treatment at the school missed this important service. Parents delayed to send their children to school with others still holding them in their respective homes fearing in insecurity in the schools. These children have continued to miss learning sessions, therapy and even medical assistance.

We had scheduled a volunteer day where local businesses, parents and other community members would get a chance to spend time with the children and get a chance to serve them in a multitude of ways. We had also hoped the volunteer day would bring about more local support for Kupenda activities. However, two days to the volunteer day, violence in the country was getting worse with the government banning all demonstrations and public gatherings countrywide. Volunteer day was obviously going to be a public gathering that would not be entertained by the government. Kupenda visitors and MADISERO executive committee were left with only one option of calling off the volunteer day. This meant that children were going to miss a day that would have brought people into the school to help in cleaning the school compound, painting the buildings, playing music for the children, washing clothes, helping to cook meals and feed the CP children and praying for the children. Same people coming for the volunteer day were also expected to bring foodstuffs, clothes as well as sponsoring some of the children.

On Thursday 16th January, due to the increase in violence, Cynthia had to leave the country with Randy and Barbara all disappointed. Children really missed the opportunity to interact with Cynthia and have always been asking me how come that Cynthia left the country in a hurry without even saying bye to them, something that has never happened before.

Thank you for your concern and prayers. We need them here in Kenya.
Blessings,

Leonard Mbonani (Kupenda Kenya director)