Kenyans in the US Muster Efforts to Help Famine Victims

By Symon G. Ogeto
Updated on 03.03.06 at 3:30 AM CST

Ibrahim Kula, 13, recuperates at the Mandera District Hospital. He is being treated for malnutrition and Tuberculosis. Pic courtsey of Maxwell Agwanda/The Standard

January 2, 2006 – Kenyans in the United States have started mobilizing in Minneapolis, MN in an effort in to raise funds toward famine victims in parts of the country’s North Eastern Province.

In a recent interview with Mashariki Leo, Mohammed Abdi, a Kenyan native who originally hails from Mandera, anticipates to raise about $400,000 in a fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, January 15, 2006

Abdi hopes to accomplish this through a number of ways emanating from his Generation for Change and Growth (GCG), a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization that promotes health and education in Northern Kenya.

“We are involved and that is why we mostly are targeting local organizations instead of going to individuals. We welcome individuals but most the people we are targeting is the local groups; churches, synagogues, mosques, non-governmental organizations [...]” said Abdi.

One of the big foundations Abdi has stretched out for help is the Pillsbury Company Foundation. Abdi feels that Pillsbury will make an exception to his call for financial help even though its primary goal is to help prepare and empower economically disadvantaged young people in several neighborhoods in Minnesota.

“We have invited the president of Pillsbury foundation. He has not made a commitment yet but so far he has told us that he has nothing scheduled on Jan 15. However, if he cannot be there, he will have someone there from the organization” said Abdi.

GCG has already contacted about four mosques, the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC., and a couple US-based recognized Kenyan and Somali organizations for similar help.

Some of the groups GCG has contacted in Minneapolis include the Somali Confederation, Somali National Alliance, and Somali American Friendship Association.

Mohamud Moallin, one of the GCG directors says that Jan 15, which according to Islam faith will be celebrating the holy month of Ramadhan, may turn out to be a blessing.

Throughout the month leading to Jan 15, about two million Muslims from around the world are expected to converge Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform prayers.

“If you have been reading the papers back home, a bag of maize in Kitale Town, is only going for 400 Kenyan shillings which means about $10. So looking the picture that way. Don’t even think of that amount we set out. But, if we can go to the level of raising, let’s say, even $20,000. How many bags of maize can we buy? A junk of maize” said Moallin.

Moallin, who like Abdi, hails from Mandera, will be gratified if he can only feed someone a meal for just one night. “The little we can get in trying to make a different, we want to know that we were trying to help people who are suffering not just seating on money” adds Moallin.

CGC presently has about 150 members and accomplishes its mission through partnership with the local community, non-profit organizations, institutions like schools and hospitals, women groups and volunteer services.

On Monday the Kenyan press reported that president Mwai Kibaki had declared the ravaging famine a national disaster during a New Year's speech to the nation on Sunday. So far, the famine has claimed 27 lives.

Abdi, 29, immigrated to the US in 1996 and is a sergeant in the United States Marine. He became a naturalized US citizen in 2002.

Both Abdi and Moallin admit that different from previous years, this year’s hunger has been extraordinary in Mandera and Wajir Districts. The situation is also critical in other parts such as Marsabit and parts of Busia Districts.

Mandera Town lies at the topmost tip of Kenya’s northeast border where Ethiopia and Somali’s boundaries meet. The town is one of three districts in the North-eastern Province of Kenya. It is an area prone to drought and food insecurity and has a population of 131,000 with 37,900 estimated as living in Central Mandera.

According to IRIN news, Reuters has reported that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has allocated $326,073 from its disaster relief emergency fund to begin meeting immediate needs of those affected and to start detailed assessment activities.

This amount is $273,000 more than the cost President Kibaki had provided for provisional food supply.

For more information on how you can make a contribution, Logon to http://www.thegcg.org. Otherwise, you can send your donations to the following address:

Northern Kenya Famine Fund
Wells Fargo Bank
3430 University Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

For more information contact:
Phones: 612-282-5435; 612-226-9921; 651-755-9944
email: gcgbox@gmail.com