Kenya Drought

     Dozens of people have died and countless livestock have perished as a result of severe drought in most of northern Kenya and other sections of the country. With rains not expected for at least another month, up to 2.5 million people as well as their livestock face severe and potentially life-threatening food security problems if emergency food and water relief don't arrive soon.

     Many of those who have died perished in Kenya's Mandera district alone, and mass deaths of livestock are being reported in the districts of Kajiado, Garissa, Marsabit, Kitui, Makueni and Tana River, as well as Mandera.

     As the food situation continues to deteriorate, many families are resorting to extreme measures, such as selling their few remaining productive assets. Worsening the economic situation is the doubling of grain prices in most parts of the affected districts, while livestock prices have declined significantly, thereby eroding the purchasing power of those affected.

     The UCC is responding to the drought in Kenya.  We have sent an initial gift of $30,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing to support CWS's (Church World Service) response of providing immediate food and water needs, water tankering for domestic and livestock use, and borehole drilling.   The Africa Office of Global Ministries is also contacting our partners in Kenya to determine how we may best support their drought response activities.

     The offerings from our 2006 Mid-Week Lenten Worship Services will be going to support the relief efforts from this terrible drought.  You may make contributions payable to "Christ Church UCC" with "Kenya Drought" written in the memo line.  As with all such offerings, 100% of your contributions will be used for relief aid.  Neither the UCC nor Christ Church will take any of those funds for administration or general operating costs.

     The following is a running total of the combined efforts of our three churches in providing relief aid through our Wednesday Lenten Offerings:
          Wednesday, March 8, 2006    ---  $243.00
          Wednesday, March 15, 2006  ---  $351.75
          Wednesday, March 22, 2006  ---  $157.21
          Wednesday, March 29, 2006  ---  $168.50
          Wednesday, April 5, 2006      ---  $329.00
                      Total Relief Aid:  $1249.46  

     You can learn more about the Kenya Drought at the Church World Service Kenya Drought Crisis Web Page.