2011 Kikapu Report

We had another successful Kikapu campaign thanks to you, our faithful and generous supporters. Because of you many families in Kenya celebrated their Christmas with a smile. The board of directors, volunteers, and the Kikapu recipients thank you.

2011 Kikapu program had several significant achievements:

• We successfully ran our first official mission trip. Three ladies from Sacramento, California – Ka-Ryn Escovedo, Mercy Mutua, and Christine Kibui – and one official from Atlanta, Georgia – Gladys Orwenyo – travelled to Kenya specifically to participate in the program.
• We distributed baskets of food to 85 needy families. This is equivalent to over 3400 meals; the baskets can feed a family of four for at least 10 meals.
• We distributed food (fruits, bread, milk, yogurt etc) to 40 inpatients at Molo Hospital.
• Provided an economic boost to the poor mothers and grandmothers at the local market by making lump sum purchases they rarely see. This is turn blesses their families.
• We had a record number of volunteers (25) participate; most of the volunteers were from different parts of Kenya majority of whom are college students. It is becoming evident to us that many young people in Kenya want to help and give back. We just have to nurture the culture and provide the opportunity.

The primary goal of the Kikapu campaign has always been to bring a smile and give a glimmer of hope to the poorest in the rural communities in Kenya during the holiday season. The poor are selected by our volunteers on the ground through local community volunteers. During the week of Christmas, they are surprised by a visit from our dedicated volunteers and given a Kikapu (basket) full of food items; providing at least 10 meals to a family of four. But every year, we always have a special story from the campaign as the one below.

During the food distribution the ladies from the U.S. who went to the mission trip visited one crippled lady. This single mother works very hard as a seamstress to provide for her and her child. For the past two years she has been making payments towards the purchase of prosthetic legs. She’s had the pair she owns for over 20 years and has outgrown the prosthetic making it very difficult to walk.In total, she needs Ksh 10,000 (approx. $ 120) and she had only been able to put down Ksh 2,000 (approx.$24)so far. Some of the ladies were so touched about her plight that they, through Nuru Center, will buy the woman the prosthetic legs so that she can be able to walk from her house to her work more conveniently. It is stories like this that continue to inspire us to keep giving back.

At Nuru Center, we actively evaluate our programs and look for ways to maximize the impact of your donations. As this program continues to expand and gain momentum, we like to get feedback and new ideas from you. Think about the next holiday season and what you would like to see happen to people who have been forced to view food as a luxury. As children in the United States and other developed parts of the world get new toys, take winter vacations and enroll in extra-curriculum activities, many children in rural Kenya simply long for a good meal.

Please, take a moment and visit the photo gallery and see for yourself the smiles that you helped plant on the faces of many.