Radio Education for Rural Girls in Kenya

NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Disaster Strikes

From March to May, torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc across Kenya, causing rivers to overflow and triggering landslides. Narok County, home to the Esila project, was heavily impacted.

Impact on the Community

While the loss of life was lower compared to other regions, the damage was extensive. Countless livestock were lost, small businesses and schools were severely affected, and nearly all crops were destroyed.  Maasi are first and foremost livestock keepers and have only recently ventured into farming. 

Challenges in School Visits

We had planned to follow up with the schools that received our Fenix radio lights late last year. However, due to the severe flooding, many schools were either unreachable or closed, making our planned visits in May impractical to impossible.

Critical Role of Fenix Radio-Lights

Our local coordinator reported that the Fenix units proved invaluable to rural families during this crisis. With days passing without sunlight to power solar panels, the failsafe winder handle allowed families to stay informed with weather updates. These updates were crucial for accessing information on shelters and support services for displaced individuals and families.  Very few would have had any form of insurance.  Additionally, the LED flashlights provided much-needed light at after dark, ensuring people could navigate the darkness safely.

Unexpected Lifeline

When we distributed the Fenix units, we could not have anticipated their vital role during a disaster of this magnitude. These units became a lifeline, providing essential information and light to rural families affected by the prolonged crisis. We are planning to visit the schools and the girls who received the Fenix units later in the year.