If this situation continues, life will become very tough indeed for the girls. We thank you for helping us through this troubled time.

"One Home Many Hopes" and the post election violence in Kenya was covered in a Boston 'Metro' newspaper column. Check it out here!

Below are updates from our founder, Anthony Mulongo, on the ground in Mtwapa. These updates were made possible by donations to "One Home Many Hopes" connecting Mudzini Kwetu to the internet.   

January 4, 2008 - “We send you greetings from troubled Kenya and our appreciation for you who have been praying and concerned about our safety and well being within this environment of political turbulence. We are all well here at Mudzini but very anxious and disillusioned about the political future of our country. Many are shocked at the character, interest and aloofness of our political leaders.  

What had amazed many of us is the rate of degeneration of security, hope, focus, lawfulness, patriotism and stability of the country within days. Loss of lives and displacement is particularly astonishing. After 2 days, food had become scarce and if found the price would be about 4 times the usual. The rich went into panic purchase of supplies, while the poor started starving and losing lives. 

I have been privileged by virtue of my past work and connections with media, police and some business people. I was getting information on the minute and had the privileged to travel under protection of some police officers and media people around Nairobi. What I saw was indescribable.  Many were hiding in their homes or displaced and camping in church compounds and police stations. The Slum areas where about 68% of urban populations live were on fire. Women had been raped, children killed and many lost their lives, home and property. Some had died from gun shot, machete wounds and mob violence. Fuel stations were set on fire, shops looted and burnt and cars blazed.  Most of the people who live in these areas live from hand to mouth and going a day without work is a distress already. They have now gone a week without work and surplices are 3 times the price. One could only imagine what they are going through.  

The children at Mudzini are safe and we are in touch with friends all over the country and neighbors, who have no food, and regular supplies. I m doing whatever I can through the links that I have to make sure that they are able to have something to eat or get credit on their phones to communicate with their relatives.

Many of those who traveled to vote are not able to travel back to areas they work because it is extremely unsafe and public transport is unavailable. Fuel for vehicles is in short supply and prices have gone up.  Alice and Saida (Mudzini Kwetu staff) had traveled to vote. Alice is safe at her home area but Saida is starving with her sisters in Mombasa. I tried linking up with her today when I attempted to buy supplies from a friend's shop near Bamburi but her phone was off. I'm still trying to reach her.  

We and especially I are privileged because we have a place in you where we can talk and tell someone what we are going through here and that alone does bring relief and some form of peace. I shall try to be on line most of the time to read your mail and shall update you as often as I can. Blessings and thanks a lot.” 

--Anthony Mulongo, Founder of Mudzini Kwetu writing on 1/4/08


January 9, 2008 - "Greetings from Kenya. I'm sure that you are waiting to hear any news from here. We are well and calm has returned. The president named his cabinet that many are referring to as illegitimate. He has very few elected members of parliament from his party and that has forced him to pick member for his cabinet from other small parties that seem not in contention with his being in office.

The death toll is at now at 489 with 250,000 displaced people. Nonetheless, many are happy that they can get back to their lives and earn a living. Traveling is still a problem since security is still in question and therefore those who had traveled long distances for Christmas holidays and to vote are still held up in those places. The police and the army are offering security for convoy vehicles along the highway that cuts across the country. However, very few public service vehicles have been put back into service and so many commuters are still stranded.

Alice, Christine, Joshua and Saida are not yet able to travel back to the home. They are though safe and I'm trying to send Alice, Christine and Joshua money so that they can try and get a flight to Mombasa. The local flight fares have dropped significantly because they are mostly used by the richer Kenyans who are not traveling at the moment. Flights are much safer to travel by and one can get a booking without much hustle.

Schools opening dates have been postponed from 7th, January to 14th January 2008 to allow time for things to settle down before children can start traveling to and from school. Supplies are still scarce and expensive but we are managing."

--Anthony Mulongo, Founder of Mudzini Kwetu writing on 1/9/08


January 12, 2008 - "It's great to hear from you and know you are well. Kenya's image has received a devastating blow and it will certainly take a long time to recover. Tourism is a major component of the economy and most tourist have left the country now. You may have heard that the political situation has calmed down but there are many losses, the worst being 486 lives and 250,000 displaced and having lost all belongings.

I'm not sure if this calm we are experiencing is short lived because it really depends on Kibaki (President) and Raila (Opposition Leader) to talk and agree. Their meeting is supposedly scheduled for today but there is information that both sides are issuing ultimatums before they can meet.

Life is returning to normal but we shall feel the effects once people have settled in and back to work. Food is overly expensive and supplies still scarce. Please pray that the worst hit people, who are the poor, shall have something to eat and shelter.

Thanks for the work you do for us. You can be sure that every single bit you send in shall go a long way in meeting our needs."

-- Anthony Mulongo, Founder of Mudzini Kwetu writing on 1/12/08

These updates were made possible by donations to "One Home Many Hopes" connecting Mudzini Kwetu to the internet.