Timely Assistance Saves Family from Floods Agony

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Saturday, August 22, 2020

By Irene Sinoya, World Vision Communications Specialist, Kenya

Elseba, 36, is among the many residents of Katito in Kisumu County, Kenya, who lost livestock, bedding, utensils and cash due to floods that wreaked havoc on communities in the area.

The house she was staying in with her children was also destroyed. This forced Elseba to look for shelter at a safe place.

She sought refuge in Kanyalwal Primary School where other affected families were also staying. 

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Elseba (left) and her 11-year-old daughter Mitchell at their home which was destroyed by floods. ©World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.

 

“After the floods, we found ourselves displaced without any personal belongings. We were forced to move to a camp in the nearby school with just the clothes we were wearing. It was a tough time for me and my children,” says Elseba.

Life in the camp was not easy for Elseba and her loved ones. Even with the chilly weather, they had to spend nights on  the bare floor since they had no bedding.

Life in the camp was not easy for Elseba and her loved ones.
Life at the camp was difficult for Elseba (left) and her children. © World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.

 

Having no mosquito nets to cover themselves at night, her children frequently suffered from malaria. This made her struggle intense since she had no money to pay for her children’s treatment.

Cooking was also a challenge to them since they had no food. They slept hungry most of the nights.

In response to the calamity, World Vision disbursed funds and non-food items to the affected families in the camp.

These included items such as tents, plastic sheeting, blankets, sleeping mats, cooking pots, mosquito nets, buckets, soap, jerry cans and sanitary clothes.

Elseba and her daughter Mitchell preparing food at the camp using the cooking utensils that they received from World Vision. ©World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.
Elseba (right) and her daughter Mitchell preparing food at the camp using the cooking utensils that they received from World Vision. ©World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.

 

“We were given tents, bedding and cooking items which have really changed our lives. I was also given 6,000 Kenya shillings, which I used to buy food, bedding and clothes. We thank World Vision for helping us”, says Elseba. 

She plans to use part of the money to repair her house before the family can go back home. Speaking delightfully, Elseba says that she is no longer struggling to feed her family.

“I thank World Vision for helping me during this difficult time. Now I have food, bedding and mosquito nets. My children will not fall sick frequently ”

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Elseba is glad that she can provide sufficient food to her family, thanks to the support that she received from World Vision. ©World Vision Photo/Sarah Ooko.

 

Narrating what transpired that fateful night, Elseba’s 11-year-old daughter Mitchelle Awuor says that encountering floods at night was heartbreaking.

“That night, I woke up in fury thinking that I had soiled my clothes. I called my mother and requested her to light the candle, only to realise that my bedding was wet and our belongings were floating on water. My mother woke my two brothers up and we left immediately. We spent that night in the cold but at a safe place”, she says.

Mitchelle and her mum Elseba at the camp. She is happy to be alive and safe. ©World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.
Mitchell (right) and her mum Elseba at the camp. She is happy to be alive and safe. ©World Vision Photo/Irene Sinoya.

 

“Thanks to World Vision for changing our lives. At least we have food and clothes. Mum also bought books for us, so we can study while here”, she adds.