Kenya

Samaritan's Purse has been sending doctors to Kenya since 1978 through World Medical Mission, supporting hospitals that have helped tens of thousands find new life in Jesus Christ. Samaritan's Purse also operates several community development and children's projects across Kenya. The country is one of four in East Africa where we have launched a comprehensive HIV/AIDS program to strengthen the Christian response to the pandemic.

Note From the Field

In Appreciation

From country director John McKelvey

As I reflect on the months that I have served with Samaritan’s Purse, two things firmly stick in my mind.

First, I admire and greatly appreciate the Kenyan national staff of Samaritan’s Purse who serve, day-in and day-out, in harsh conditions. And they often do so six days a week.

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For example, when visiting our work in Pokot, I left my hotel very early in the morning in order to meet with staff who were leaving before first light. The same staff returned home that evening well after dark. And they often do their work in conditions that can only be described as brutal.

They are just one of the many dedicated teams that serve with SP in Kenya. Passionate, committed and selfless characterize their work and it is done to the glory of God. I have been greatly blessed by working alongside such fine individuals.

The second thing that sticks in my mind is the commitment many of our SP national staff have in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faced with the harsh realities of lost people in a fallen world with incredible needs, our staff understand that the most important thing we can give is the gospel of Christ.

They know that only within the gospel can the situation of humankind be ultimately resolved. Our staff are pleased to feed the hungry and care for the sick, but we all know that this must be done in a way that expresses the love of Christ and the power of the gospel.

Our staff’s firm grasp of this truth has been one of my greatest encouragements.

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PROJECTS

Turkana Feeding Program

Samaritan's Purse has been working to reduce deaths due to malnutrition among children five years and younger and pregnant and nursing women. Since 2006, we have established 29 feeding centers in northern Kenya's drought-stricken Turkana district. We have also partnered with two local health centers to provide medical care for severely malnourished children.

HIV/AIDS Education
Since August 2005, Samaritan's Purse has been implementing our MET program, which trains church and community leaders to reach out to youth with messages of abstinence and faithfulness in marriage. The curriculum also teaches the basic facts about HIV/AIDS and stresses the importance of providing compassionate care to those living with the disease in an effort to reduce stigma and discrimination. Our staff has also facilitated community conversations on the prevention of sexual abuse and the exploitation of children. Nearly 3,500 pastors, church workers, and teachers have been trained, who have reached more than 148,000 young people in Kenya’s Eastern province.

Agriculture and Tree Planting Project
The Kinango district is characterized by low rainfall and perennial drought. Climatic conditions coupled with years of poor farming methods and deforestation have contributed to the region's present-day food insecurity. Since March 2005, Samaritan's Purse has implemented agricultural training to improve small-scale farming practices through seven demonstration farms in four villages. We have also provided farmers with proper equipment, seeds suitable to harsh climates, and rain water harvesting training. We have also planted more than 40,000 trees in school, church, and public properties.

Household Water Project
Since 2005, Samaritan's Purse has installed more than 700 biosand filters—a household water treatment system—to make clean drinking water available to the people of Kenya’s coastal district of Kinango. The filters are made of concrete, gravel, and sand and provide ideal intervention for communities with easy access to surface water and cut down on waterborne illnesses. Over 1,000 household caretakers and children at primary schools have been trained in improved hygiene and sanitation practices. More than 200 new pit latrines have also been constructed.

Livestock Project
Samaritan's Purse provides improved livestock management training to people living in Kinango's Samburu division. Many of these residents earn less than $2 a day, and with frequent crop failure, are among Kenya's poorest. Since 2007, Samaritan's Purse has trained 316 households while sharing the Gospel.

Trans-Nzoia Feeding Program
Samaritan's Purse has been working to reduce deaths due to malnutrition among children five years and younger and pregnant and nursing women. Since March 2008, we have been working with IDPs in 15 camps in Trans-Nzoia East and West districts, in western Kenya near the Uganda border. We have also partnered with the district hospital in Kitale to provide medical care for severely malnourished children.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Wisdom to address issues of food security in the face of looming famine and hunger in many parts of the country.

Healing and reconciliation amongst people of different tribes, especially in Rift Valley province. Pray that the church would provide the leadership during this time of healing.