Hunger for donations

a volunteer putting donations for the beneficiaries to pick

Here at Ruben Centre we have been sitting through the liminal period of calm before the storm. Government daily reports are not bun fights like Trump and the press gallery, but rather a government spokesperson delivering an update on numbers of cases. Meanwhile in the news and social media an alternative scenario is being offered to the people.

Then on Thursday the 23rd Ruben Health Centre received its two high probability cases. Two very distressed men who ticked every box there is to be ticked with regards to Covid-19.  The Clinic coordinator finally found a specially designated ambulance to come and take them to a facility for care and testing.  Meanwhile the Mukuru slum community have been out of work in a partial lockdown for nearly one month. No government aid is reaching them. Hunger is real. Fear for the future is real.

Ruben Centre is organizing some social support and has finalized a deal with the Naivas Supermarket chain (which has an outlet on the west end of the slum). We have handed over KSHS 200,000 and they will prepare vouchers for us and we then can distribute them to those we KNOW are desperate. It is a drop in the ocean, but it is something and the only thing Ruben can do at this stage.

Quietly talking to families and then sending them off to the supermarket for what they NEED is much more dignified than the chaos associated with food handouts managed by corrupt government chiefs.

On Friday the 24th, a well-wisher by the name of Jackie donated food to 300 families in Mukuru kwa Reuben. The intention was good but the action was not at all. Since the government of Kenya had given directives that all food donations to go through her (the government), Jackie reached the area to identify 300 needy families to get two weeks supply of food to be supplemented again after two weeks.

There were 300 families but the question of the being needy remains unanswered. It is alleged that the chief handpicked “his people” for the food donation and this stirred a HUGE uproar outside the Ruben Centre.  Many of those who were gathered outside had said they were put in the list to get a donation but were denied entry because someone with a similar name and a duplicate voucher had already entered the organization. It was quite sad and we (Ruben Centre) reached out to Jackie that incase she needed our help in identifying the needy cases, we were here to help. This request has since remained unanswered.

Jackie who has previously fed 3000 families across other slums in Kenya during this pandemic was left gutted with the happenings of the food distribution. She had a team of several partners including Belle (serviette and tissue company, Tropikal (sanitizer company) and APA group (Apollo Insurance).

Since she (Jackie) is working alone without a team she has sought a group from Red cross Kenya to help with the logistics living her to fundraise and oversee. Many groups have been giving food donations during corona virus pandemic and though it is helpful, the government has put emphasis on safety and reduction of risk. We invite donations that will be distributed with uttermost decorum to the needy people of Mukuru kwa Reuben.

By Frank & GB