Special Appeal for children displaced by drought

In December, we were happy to watch a large group of trainees graduate from various courses - hairdressing, tailoring, motor mechanics, plumbing, electrical wiring etc.  Some of those youths came to us from familites that were displaced by drought several years ago.   We have been happy to find ways to put these youths on a path to a sustainable future for them and their families, which also means the younger siblings in the family have more security and more options for education and work in the future.  

Today, 20th June, is supposed to the middle of the rainy season.  I am writing this in Kitale, the centre of the 'breadbasket' of Kenya.  This is a vital farming area producing much of the country's food supply.  However, even here, we have seen very little rain this year.  The rains started over a month later than usual and have been intermittent.  Crops are struggling and farmers are getting seriously worried.  It is even worse north of here in more arid regions where little or no rainfall has been seen.  This state of affairs could not only lead to serious food shortages in the country this year but in all likelihood will see an increase in the number of families and youths who choose to move further south from the exremely drought prone regions of Kenya to to the towns and farmlands around Kitale.  

So, we are bracing ourselves for a potential influx of people who will need some short-term emergency aid followed by a longer term plan of training for job security.

We are hoping we get some real rain soon!