IDP's are "settlements" of people who were kicked off of their lands, after the elections of 2007, by rich government officials who wanted the land for themselves. People lost their homes and farms, and many lost family members who tried to resist.
Although organizations like the UN and the Red Cross came to assist, they were pushed out by the Kenyan Government. Tents and other supplies were also taken away.
Part of the fee we paid for the excursion was used to buy sacks of maize flour, rice and "fat" (solid vegetable oil).
We spent a couple of hours repacking the food into small plastic bags for distribution to individual families. This feeding program was initiated by a volunteer 1 year ago; they try to get groups of volunteers to participate in this weekend excursion every 2 weeks. Still, not all families can be provided food and the 4 cups of flour, 6 cups of rice and 1 pound of fat has to last them 2-4 weeks.
The flour crew - we finished first!! The rice crew
Affectionately...the "fat" girls
The families at the IDP camp now live in small, tree-framed structures, covered with plastic cement bags. We visited a few homes and met people like this woman, Grace.
Grace is just one example of the residents at IDP, but definitely an inspiration! Her family had had a very successful farm, but were pushed off the land. She even watched her brother get killed right in front of her. Once settled at the IDP, her husband took off and left her to raise their 4 young children. Grace is HIV+, suffers the stigma of this even in this small camp, but keeps a smile on her face and helps her neighbors as much as she can.
These pictures are of the inside of her house.
Their saving grace, in my eyes, is at least the IDP camps are situated on a beautiful piece of land. They have an awesome landscape and mountains to gaze upon, unlike the environment in the Korogocho slums.
But, although the ground appears fertile, that part of the country deals with either drought or flash floods. Over the past 2 years, people have pooled their money to plant crops, but have lost them all. Most of the men have walked away from their families, and the young girls, starting as young as 14, have started prostituting themselves at a local truckstop as a means to provide for their families.
The children are happy, loving and so innocently unaware of their plight. They were so excited when we pulled up - it was heart-warming. We palyed games with them and then handed out some shoes and the food we had packaged earlier that day.
It was quite a weekend! A mix of emotions, from excitement to sadness. One little guy at the IDP reminded us though what was really important - making a new friend and finding a safe place to peacefully lay your head down.
Big hugs to all of you!
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