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Patriotic Kenyans in Boston raise $15,000 towards hunger relief

Members of the New England Kenyan Association (NEKA) line up to hand in their donations to the acting chairman, Charles Ngeene (with cap) as the master of ceremonies, Amos Wang'ombe of the Health for Nations Inc. cheers them on.pic by H.Maina/Ajabu Media

By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa, posted October 23, 2011

Kenyans in Boston displayed patriotic concerns when they raised $15,000 (Kenyan Shillings 1.5 Million) during the Mashujaa day celebrations to support the world wide effort against the hunger that has been ravaging the Turkana District, North Eastern province and Eastern province in their motherland.

The one of a kind event was the first ever united effort in New England, and was organized by a coalition of several groups composing of the civil society, private sector and churches. The coalition that is still in its infancy stage, gave willing Kenyans and friends of Kenya a chance to donate as one people.

Originally, the event was planned and organized by the newly formed New England Kenyan Association (NEKA), a group formed by Kenyans in the region to provide a community owned platform to lobby and organize for common community needs as people from the same country. Traditionally, the Kenyan community in the region is usually divided along denominational, regional and tribal affiliations associations.

The money raised will be remitted to the secretariat of Kenyans for Kenya initiative the organization that has helped amalgamate over KSH 500,000,000 donated by the private sector and civil society in Kenya with a common cause of to providing relief to the children and adults starving due to the famine situation.

Among the notable groups that groups that joined the effort dubbed Diaspora Kenyans for Hungry Kenyans included the Kenyan American Pastors Association (KAPA), Health for Nations Inc., the Diaspora Advisory Council- New England Chapter, Kenya Christian Fellowship in America (KCFA) and several other individual small business operators.

Several other renowned world charitable organizations and governments have already donated massive sums of funds and materials towards the same cause.

Rev. Peter Kiama of the Kenyan American Pastors Association (right) hands over donations from different churches in Boston to the treasurer of the Hunger fund raising Secretariat, Peter Mwaniki of the New England Kenyan Association (NEKA).

The latest to make a huge donation was the Chinese government that was reported in the media as having donated food worth 2 billion Kenya shillings early this month.

The US Secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said that the United States is increasing food aid to the of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia where millions of people are facing starvation and malnutrition due to drought and strife ravaging the region.

However the unexpected result of raising over $15,000 though far much below the capacity of Kenyans in the region who usually donate big for worthy causes was hailed as ground breaking towards the ongoing effort to unite the community.

A small number of Kenyans with big hearts showed up at the event held at the Holy Name High School in Worcester. While organizers had initially expected a turnout of about 500 Kenyans, only about 100 showed up beaming with patriotism.

The donations included $5,700 from various Kenyan community churches represented by the Kenyan American Pastors Association (KAPA) followed by $1,800 from the New England Kenyan Association (NEKA) which included a $1,000 event sponsorship donation by upcoming shipping business entrepreneur, John Bosco Ogwan.

Ogwang is the founder of Hope for Africa, an organization that helps Kenyans in the Diaspora have an easier way of shipping personal and business items to Kenya.

Close to a dozen patriotic Kenyan small business owners made an immense contribution to the funds drive with funds towards event sponsorship and the rest of the equally patriotic Kenyan citizens topping up the sum with individual donations of about $10,000, including a donation from Raila Odinga and friends.

Among the small business entrepreneurs sponsoring the event included Ajabu Media, Poa Pay, Big 5 Safaris Boutique, Spring-Star Consulting, S.G Travel International, Salon De Afrique, Marion’s International, Samrack, Royele Suits, Global Safaris (travel consultant), Best grill meat supply and Kito Designs and Beauty Connections.

John Bosco Ogwang a major sponsor of the hunger funds drive, congratulates a faithful customer who came forward with a testimonial after sucessfully shipping some bicycles to children in Kenya through Hope for Africa.

Gospel worshippers, Caroline Mbithi and Esther Muthoni also sponsored and graced the event.

The event started with prayers by Rev. John Wachira of the Kenyan American Pastors Association followed by the Kenyan and US National Anthems led by Nelly Wangui Gachohu, a NEKA youth member.

A captivating video presentation several Kenyan freedom fighters together with the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan with Nobel Laureate who recently passed away were presented by Wanja Kiraguri of the New England Kenyan Association.

The presentation that clearly traced back the hard journey that Kenyan freedom fighters endured including scenes from the legendary Kapenguria cells where many were jailed for many years left   guests in the auditorium speechless.

   Wanja finished the presentation with a poem dedicated to the life of the to the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, a renowned environmentalist and Nobel prize laureate, drawing loud applause from Kenyans present.

While speaking during the event on behalf of Rev. Dr. Joseph Kimatu, the chairman for the secretariat formed to coordinate the funds drive that was out of the country, Paul Muite of the KCFA- Nashua branch welcomed guests to the event and asked them to give willingly to support the hungry children   in the motherland.

Inviting members of the clergy and other Kenyans from different organizations, Charles Ngeene, the NEKA organizing secretary said that the time is ripe for Kenyans in New England to join an umbrella organization that was formed to provide a platform for upcoming young Kenyan leaders on social cultural and civic issues to relieve the already overburdened members of the clergy who in the past have worn multiple hats in community leadership.

“This organization is for anyone who calls themselves a Kenyan. Even you pastors we invite you to join NEKA since you are also Kenyans,” urged Ngeene while thanking all Kenyans who have already joined the organization.

During the event, about 13 Kenyans who have done immense contribution towards the well being of the Kenyan community in the New England region were also recognized as local Diaspora Shujaas.

They included Rev. Peter Gachathi, pastor of the St. Paul’s Community church in Lawrence who was the first Kenyan pastor to start a Kenyan community church in Boston back in 1996.

Wanja Kiraguri of NEKA leads guests at honoring Kenyan Mashujaas

Others included Harrison Maina of Ajabu Media communications who pioneered a website that provided a very effective platform for rapid communication within the young community and has mobilized many Kenyans to raise over $600,000 over the last 4 years towards burial funds to transport bodies of deceased Kenyans back home for burial. Maina has also supporting many Kenyan churches and businesses with advertising, web design, networking and IT services for over 6 years.

Mercy Maina of Health for Nations Inc. was honored for her sustained effort over many years to send teams of Nurses to rural Kenya to conduct free health clinics while Jane Kimani of Worcester was recognized as a Diaspora Shujaa for her efforts to help many Kenyans and Africans in the Worcester area access free health care as well as her free health wellness education seminars both in Boston and in Kenya.

Others to recognize were Pastor Josephat Mithiga for his efforts to bring out the Luo community in the region to take part in community affairs and Patrick Inyagua who has been doing the same for the Luhya community.

Several local Diaspora marathon runners including Titus Mutinda, Paul Koech, Benjamin Mbaya and Naomi Mugo were recognized for putting Kenya in the hearts of the local Americans during multiple road races.

Abdi Lidonde of Beverly schools of Kenya was recognized in absentia for his extra ordinary effort that saw the creation of the ultra modern Beverly school of Kenya based in Nyahururu and Sam Mwaura of Samrack.

The event program was coordinated by Amos Wangombe a member of the Health for Nations Inc. and a member of the fund raising committee.

Among pastors who attended the event were pastors: John Wachira, the Vice chairman of KAPA, Peter Kiama the Secretary of KAPA, Samuel Kimohu, the treasurer of KAPA, David Karaya, the former chairman of KAPA, Joshua Wambua, Director of the Diaspora Advisory Council- Boston, Ekira Mureithi, and Samuel Kariuki

The funds raised are expected to be of huge help to thousands of children in Kenya suffering from food shortage due to the drought in several areas of the nation.

“This is a big achievement considering where we are coming from,” said Amos Wang’ombe of Health for Nations Inc. and master of ceremonies at the event.

"When i heard about this fund raiser, i knew i had to come to show support to our people and make a contribution towards the hunger in Kenya," said a man who had traveled all the way from New York.

A similar funds drive by Kenyans in the Maryland and Washington D.C region has been slated to take place on Saturday this week.