Education Hurdles for Kids of IDPs

Since displacement in 2007/2008 owed to post poll violence, education for victims has not been the same again. It has been a race for survival and education is simply not a priority. There are all kinds of dangers youthful IDPs become prone to due to a halt in education. A country, region or community can never progress without proper education and this is just a hurdle the internally displaced need to overcome to secure a bright future.

In a swaying torn tent at the Maai Mahiu IDP camp, 3 year old Ruth Nyaruai chants the letters of the alphabet; showing great prowess and potential that may remain just that. Mary Muthoni 16 and a third born of the family tells of the grave struggle for education and knowledge. ‘Studying at home is a big challenge since we only have one lamp. Our mother might need it more than us. When the baby cries at night, we have to use the lamp to ensure all is well. Before I know it, the clock strikes 11 pm. With strong angry winds and cold, I’m forced to go to sleep and cannot study’ Mary Muthoni laments.  

  

In parliament, the debate on resettlement of IDPs continues. Mixed reactions and proposals have been forwarded. Gideon Mung’aro mp for Malindi filed the motion suggesting that IDPs should be resettled in their original farms. Minister for special programs Ms Murugi in reaction stated that the victims were too traumatized and could therefore not be forced back to a place that would remind them of previous chaos. This leaves a lot is to be desired regarding how the authorities have managed the crisis.

Organizations of good will have played a part in making this crisis bearable for victims. Family Media and Habitat for Humanity are spearheading the Building Hope Campaign aimed at building permanent homes to IDPs and restoring their dignity. This move will provide normalcy and the education hurdles for children in camps can be overcome.  Join us today as we make a difference!

Are You Making The IDP Situation Better or Worse?

On Radio 316, the IDP reflection on rejection was both worrying and eye-opening. It started with resettlement rejection from people of Narok who upon learning that the government was planning this, resisted. You will remember that mass protests by the Maasai community led many IDPs to feel insecure even after they had accepted the government plans to settle them in the Narok area.

More recently, communities in Kitale openly expressed their intolerance as IDPs were outrightly rejected. Upon learning that the government had acquired the Kitale land, the IDPs were very happy but this jubilation was short-lived. According to a Kitale resident, ‘there are many squatters here already who have never been resettled and we don’t need other people to occupy our land’.

Former foreign affairs minister in a radio interview was quoted to have echoed ‘If there is any replacement, let the government settle those who have never been settled right here first’. He went on to add that consultation before making such decisions with communities was paramount for the government. Callers on Radio 316 expressed their varied emotions and the bottom line was to urge Kenyans not to add to the problems but rather embrace each other as brothers and sisters.

Even now, there is some element of suspicion with communities and this has not made the IDP issue any better. For all people especially Christians, there is a role you can play to make a difference. You can be the voice of peace even in discourses that encourage tribal intolerance. Additionally, you can help settle IDPs and Family Media together with Habitat for Humanity spearhead an awesome project. It is the Building Hope; One People United Campaign; which we plan to built at least 135 permanent homes for IDPs of Maai Mahiu. It is such initiatives that bring progress to this often - monotonous topic of IDPs.

Together, we can play an activate role in propagating love, peace and unity just as our lord instructs us. See the donate button for detailed information on how you can participate and let us stand out as people making a positive difference for the internally displaced persons in our country.

Oppression, Suffering and Death…. Does God Really Care for IDPs

Displacement of people unjustly from their land and livelihood is not limited to some regions or countries. Many people in the world have suffered and continue to bear the load of displacement for political, social and economic reasons. In Kenya, competition for natural resources, political unrest and others have been responsible for numerous injustices that leave certain communities (groups of people) without land and homes.

 

1992 Rift Valley clashes in Kenya and the more recent 2007/2008 post election chaos are just two examples. In Kiambaa (Eldoret) a church harboring people (escaping the violence) was torched and many were burnt alive. Rape, torture, maiming and death are other inhuman acts that featured. The result was hopelessness and many blaming and questioning God.  Where was God in all this and does he really care?

Traumatized victims up to now have not come to terms with the disastrous happenings. However, a good number of IDPs interviewed on the ground have forgiven their attackers but cannot forget. The bible holds all the answers regarding God’s stand and will amidst the trouble. One of the most agonizing seasons characterized by oppression is when the children of Israel were taken captive by Egyptians and enslaved for many years. Deuteronomy 26:6-9 states that they (children of Israel) were mistreated and subjected to inhuman hard labor. But what did they do? ‘We cried to the lord, the God of our fathers and the lord heard our cry and saw our toil and misery. He then rescued us with mighty miracles and gave us land flowing with milk and honey’. 

God is the same forever and his will is not for people to suffer; instead, he recues those who cry out for him. Many IDPs have testified to drawing closer to God after their ordeal. Even now, so much more needs to be done. Housing, food, education, and proper sanitation are just examples of needs that Kenyan post-poll IDPs yearn for. Many organizations including Family Media and Habitat for Humanity are spearheading projects that meet some of these needs. God is about healing and restoration and in Psalms 12.5 ‘‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD. I will protect them from those who malign them."

IDPs and any other person who feels oppressed can rest assured in the words above echoed by God. In Psalm 140:12, David with confidence recorded ‘I know the lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy’. Even in suffering, there is a ray of hope and a reason to go on.  Just like God used unimaginable miracles to rescue Israelites from their oppressors, the lord is faithful and is keen to the cries of his people.  

IDPs And The Broken Promises

The 2007/2008 post election violence initiated one of the most severe humanitarian disasters in Kenya. Displacement of persons who previously had homes and livelihoods took centre stage as tribes warred against each other. There are many reasons that have been cited for the chaos among them vote rigging, tribal supremacy, poverty, land inequality, hooliganism and sheer rage or incitement from powerful leaders. There have been attempts to address the core issues but in retrospect, there are many displaced whose hopes have been shattered and restoration has been an uphill task.

The government has from time to time given deadlines for resettling the displaced but so far, these promises are yet to be honored. December 2010 was yet another timeline given to resettle IDPS. Even as the middle of this year draws near, the displaced are in their thousands spending nights in cold worn out tents. Resettlement has been done for a number but this has not been enough. The government has been accused of laxity, miscalculation and mismanagement of the IDP crisis. Cases of corruption have certainly been reported and monies have gone unaccounted for bringing to the forefront the ugly reality of persisting corruption. 

Broken promises to the IDPs also touch on justice. The coalition government after having signed the accord promised to stand by justice and bring to book perpetrators of the violence. However, up to date, very few or no prosecutions have been made and the so-called ‘big fish’ are yet to face justice. As if this is not enough, top government officials are against the international justice system as provided by the ICC. Impunity once gain seems to be winning the day. On a bright side, the government together with humanitarian groups has made an effort to feed and to source other basic items for the displaced. This effort has however not been enough because on the ground, people’s dignity has greatly been compromised.  

IDPs in various areas can talk about one broken promise after the other. The picture is not entirely ridden with gloom; there are organizations that have played a pivotal part in making life bearable for the IDPS. Family Media and Habitat for Humanity are just an example of organizations on the ground that is making a difference. In partnership, they are building permanent homes to a tune of 27 million. By the end of 3 months, a total of 135 stone homes will be built to settle IDPs of Maai Mahiu. ‘Building hope; one people united’ project should inspire more people to take on the responsibility to ensure that fellow human beings are living in dignity. Because of this project, many men and women of Maai Mahiu will have at least one promise fulfilled.