NAIROBI, Kenya- Imagine waking up to find your home and belongings washed away by floods.
That’s the harsh reality for hundreds of residents in Taita Taveta County, who have been living in makeshift camps since May.
But amidst the struggle, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco), bringing much-needed relief to those affected.
For the flood victims of Chala Ward, life has been nothing short of a nightmare. “We have been living in makeshift camps after our houses and belongings were swept away by floods,” shared Agnes, a resident of Kivukoni village.
The devastating floods left them with nothing, and the situation was compounded by strong winds that destroyed their crops. “We have nothing to harvest at the moment,” she added, highlighting the dire need for external aid.
On Thursday, Shofco distributed foodstuffs, bedding, mosquito nets, and household items to over 500 residents.
This act of kindness was a lifeline for people like Agnes. “I want to thank Shofco for giving us foodstuffs, mattresses, mosquito nets, and sufurias. We have been suffering since the floods hit us. We lost all our belongings and no one came to help us except Shofco,” she said gratefully.
Philip Mwangangi, another flood victim, echoed her sentiments. “No one else has come to our aid except Shofco.
I want to thank the organization for bringing us foodstuffs and household items. This means a lot to us and may God bless Kennedy Odede, the founder of Shofco,” he expressed.
Shofco’s efforts in Taita Taveta County are part of a larger mission to assist the less fortunate across Kenya.
“Shofco has membership in this county and we have come today to donate items to our members who were affected by floods. We did this across several counties that were affected by floods,” said George Okewa, Shofco Community Relations Director.
During the flood season, Shofco reached over 20,000 families with essential supplies and moved several families to safer locations.
The organization also mapped out highly affected areas in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Migori, Bungoma, Homa Bay, and Vihiga counties, ensuring support reached those in dire need.
Leveraging its SUN programme, which boasts over four million members across Kenya, Shofco could obtain real-time data from flood-affected regions. This data-driven approach ensured efficient and timely distribution of aid.
In the face of natural disasters, organizations like Shofco provide a glimmer of hope for those who have lost everything.
Their unwavering commitment to aiding the less fortunate underscores the importance of community support and resilience. As Agnes and Philip can attest, sometimes, a little help goes a long way in rebuilding lives.
