On an Incompetent Government, Floods, community support and Half baked Testimonies on linkedin

This week has been a tough one for me. The floods in Kenya were predicted yet the government did not plan for them. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced from their homes. I feel sick to my stomach just thinking about this.

For those who haven’t followed my journey, I joined Positive Life Kenya in April as a volunteer. The organization focuses on empowering, protecting and uplifting vulnerable members of society like children and women. They are based in the Mlolongo-Syokimau region. Yesterday, I attended my very first house visit in Kicheko and left there ready to sob like a child. The amount of poverty I saw in that slum coupled with the effects of the floods broke my heart into pieces. Those whose houses were affected by the floods seek refuge in a small church that could barely hold the population and yet, the County Government hasn’t responded to their appeal for aid.

You’d think that living in that situation most of them would be bitter and mad at their circumstances but that’s not the case. They see light at the end of the tunnel and depend on themselves to help each other bounce back from this situation. I am borrowing their hope and courage to keep speaking up and advocating for the vulnerable members of our community. The work we do is not easy but the people we advocate for have it the hardest. If you’d like to donate a blanket, warm clothes or food, click this link

RANT

Our current Government is as raggedy as they come. Yes, I said it! Last week parents prepared their children to report to school on Monday. At 1 pm on the day students were supposed to be going to school, the Government sent a notice to parents via Twitter informing them that the school opening date had been postponed to the 6th of May. What would posses a government to send a notice via Twitter? How many people in this country have Twitter? Who makes such decisions and why wait to compete with creatures of the night to send a message? Why did they wait until the D-day to make that decision? I have so many questions yet very few answers.

As fate would have it, some boarding school students were already on the road heading to school by the time parents saw that notice. When it comes to the safety of children, the option of taking them to school shouldn't even be on the table while it is raining cats and dogs.

Anyway, the president upon seeing the light and outrage from parents, postponed the opening of schools indefinitely until further notice. Let us hope they will give parents and schools advance notice before giving them an official opening date.

REFLECTION

Why does every post on LinkedIn have to be coated with struggle?

Resilient, strong, enduring etc. These are the terms used to describe people's hardships before getting into spaces they long for or deserve. They all sound okay but are not terms I thought would describe my journey.

I understand that life is not all sprinkles and rainbows, but I also have a level of stubbornness in my spirit that refuses to admit that life will not go as planned or expected for most people. My religious beliefs also come into play with all the talks of suffering before experiencing glory and I am sick of it! I am ready for the glory. I have been strong, resilient and enduring and I long for the part where I shout my testimony from rooftops.

What more people need to talk about is the journey of getting the job or dream life instead of focusing on the destination and splashing our timelines with half-written testimonies. Tell me how you paid those bills Diane before you landed that job. How were you sane during that eviction? How did your community support you? Did you ask for help or did they offer it?

If people become vulnerable with those parts of their stories, maybe people like me would not get so jaded when we read those posts of resilience. While no one is entitled to our life stories, please consider opening up a bit more if you choose to share. You’ll be surprised at how much your story may resonate with others.

RECOMMENDATION

Since our government will not intervene to help people affected by these floods, here are a few people on the ground level helping. Donate to their causes

1.????? Positive Life Kenya in the Mlolongo area here-Donate here

2.????? Hanifa helping victims of floods in Nairobi county -Donate here

3.????? Garissa flood response here- Donate here

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Please reply and let me know how you are coping with these floods. I hope you are keeping safe and warm.