By Allison Kozicharow; Edited by Elizabeth Fine
As we approach the holidays, people in the western region of Kenya, where WiRED International serves, continue to face hunger as the regional drought and the war in Ukraine make food more expensive. WiRED’s Sister Bernadette Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund raises funds to support the purchase of groceries for people in the western part of Kenya, and the help around Christmas as especially important to people. All money collected goes directly to purchase food — with zero spent on administration or on anything else.
These donations will go to struggling families with children, where food is most needed. Hunger is a special challenge around the holidays, when donors turn their attention to other interests and spend their money elsewhere. And so we are continuing our annual effort to raise funds for people in the massive slums and rural areas in and around western Kenya, and we again ask our generous donors to consider sending a few dollars to help. Our community health workers in Kenya, who serve in these communities every day, will direct the food to the families in greatest need. Less than $25 feeds a family of five for nearly two weeks.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to learn about the pressing need among the poor in Kenya and about how to help us address it.
Photo Gallery of Some of the Children Helped by the Sunshine Mitzvah Fund
Catherine Faith Adhiambo
Catherine was born on December 7, 2021. Her mother died seven days after delivery due to postnatal complications. The grandmother is currently the caregiver and lives near Kowino Hospital in Nyalenda, Kisumu, Kenya. She had a small business cooking chapatti (fried flat bread) and beans at the roadside, but currently this is not possible because she has full responsibility for Catherine.
Baby Catherine was enrolled at KUAP-Pandipieri Maternal & Child Health Clinic (WiRED’s partner in Kisumu) and referred to the Nutrition Department for assessment on January 5, 2022, where she was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Catherine was being given ordinary milk diluted with a liter of water per 500ml milk daily.
The nutrition intervention included family counselling and replacement feeding, which the grandmother agreed to, but at times she had inadequate money to regularly buy the required milk. With support from the Sister Bernadette’s Sunshine Mitzvah Fund, qualified nutritionists supplied milk weekly for daily use during the subsequent clinic visits.
Because of this intervention Catherine’s weight significantly improved and her general health progress as is seen in the subsequent clinic visits chart. Catherine’s grandmother was determined to take care of her, and she has never missed a clinic appointment. The love she has for baby Catherine is impossible to miss as Catherine responds to her grandmother gestures with a huge smile and contentment.
A Father Receives Help for His Son from The Sunshine Mitzvah Fund
The father is a committed man who takes his caring role very seriously when it comes to his baby son Joshua (fictitious name). Joshua received care from the KUAP-Nutrition Outpatient Therapeutic Programme. His response to care and treatment was significant, and the bond between father and son was admired by all.
Prior to the father assuming the care role, Joshua was emaciated and wasting. All that Joshua’s father learnt at KUAP weekly nutrition clinics he made sure it was put into practice. Today Joshua is a credit to his father and much thanks goes to the Sunshine Mitzvah Fund for food given to sustain his son’s health.
