Grassroots Nonprofits in Kisumu Need Help!

January 12, 2008

Dear Tom (Ochuka) and Tom (Obiero),

It is wonderful to hear from you, and that both of you are safe, but so sorry to

hear about the devastation in Kisumu. There are many reports of looting and

destruction, food shortages, some deaths, and now predictions that it will take

the economy in Kisumu years to recover from this blow.

I'm hoping that people reading this can be of help. In terms of the KCA

fundraising, many people have contributed to the Kenya Red Cross--which is

operating in Kisumu, and hopefully might help you--but we need more contribs. I

will do a posting on this specifically today.

Friends, many of you know of the wonderful work of Hezekiah Nyaranga (Reachout),

Tom Obiero (Lake Fellowship), and Tom Ochuka (Deaf Impact Ministry). These small

grassroots nonprofits really need some help! While these folks may not have

been " displaced " , like some other Kenyans, life has been even more of a struggle

than usual, due to the factors named above.

If you can help, please contribute to the KCA fundraising, or send funds

directly: Hezekiah (reachout5@...), Tom Obiero (tomokeyo@...), and

Tom Ochuka (tomochuka@...).

For KCA:

1) Electronic Transfer:

Kenya Community Abroad (KCA)

Account number 15028186

CitiBank - Routine (ABN) number 254070116

Tel: 202-857-6834

2) Paypal to: treasurer@...

3) Make checks payable to The Kenya Community Abroad, and mail to: The KCA,

P.O. Box 50097, Washington, DC, 20091-0097

Also, remember the wonderful work of St Rita's, which helps children and women,

and has won awards for their work. Contact Bernadette Otieno at

strita42@....

Will be in touch again soon, and in the meantime and always, blessings, hopes

for your safety and well-being, and love, Janet

*********************************************

Dear Tom,

You are safe..thanks I made atrip to your business its terible..I also suffered

looting that was serious with robbery. We hope to see the children we assist

getting better.

Janet ...wonderfull to here from you..i HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH HEZEKIAH...there

has been ..looting and burning of PNU..Those around hezekiah..near kisumu are

really suffering..with the prices up..we really need urgent assistance.

THANKS

TOM

From Tom Obiero (Jan 9th)

I have been away since 24th when i went to vote at home. I just made it to

Kisumu just to do a few things and to obesrve how our place of work and business

was torn down i cant count what i lost but it is a lot. I am okay and i hope

things will cool down and i will be able to get what start again with.

Tom

January 12, 2008