Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)- Vatican Stamps come to the aid of people suffering because of drought in northern Kenya. Funds derived from the sale of a special issue of Vatican Stamps featuring African children victims of AIDS were used, with other donations, to build 32 farms, a clinic, a primary school, a police station, a Hospitality Centre, a community centre and an amphitheatre in Nyumbani village near Kwa Konza, in the Kitui province of Kenya.
At the end of January in the same village the first water gushed from a new aqueduct to the joy of all the people. “This singular event so welcome in this arid area where there is not even one tree, was the result of years of planning, months of work and efforts on the part of a few people dedicated to helping the needy” said Jesuit Father Angelo D’Agostino, founder and health director of Nyumbani Children’s Home in an article for CISA News Agency in Kenya.
The building of the aqueduct will mean several hundred children and old people, who have been waiting so long, can now be moved to the village: so far lack of water prevented the transfer.
“Fortunately the water comes from a well and a source and a pipe will soon be connected with Masinga dam” the Jesuit writes. The missionary complains that red tape prevents families from taking possession of homes and farms built in the village. “Although the water has arrived the families can still not come in because the village, which will be self sufficient in 4 years time and of which the expenses are at the moment paid by a concretely committed donor, has still to obtain an act of property transfer. The process for this act of property after the government generously donated the land has been frustratingly complicated and long” says Fr. D’Agostino. “Now all is ready: homes built, infrastructures in place, water has come, children and old people are ready to move, but the government offices want “another signature”.
According to the government in Nairobi and the United Nations 3.5 million people in north, north east and east Kenya are at risk because of prolonged drought. UN agencies and the Kenyan government say 230 million dollars need to be collected to help people facing starvation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2006 righe 36 parole 447)
