Kenyans Raise $15, 000 for Mother of Two
          
Friends and familyof the late Esther Njeri Muiruri gather at the Saint Stephens Church in Lowell, MA to raise funds to offset the burial expenses of the late mother of two.

Friends and well-wishers merged their effort on Sunday June 8, 2008 and raised over U.S. $ 15,000 to help offset the final expenses of a mother of two who passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA. The event was held at St. Stephen’s Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA.

Ms Esther Njeri Muiruri had been in a coma for several months. She suddenly fell ill and collapsed the same day she returned to the USA from a visit to Kenya, her motherland. That was late last year.

“Esther never woke up again, even after she was attended to by emergency crew and rushed to the nearest hospital,” said Mr. Ben Mbugua, who was leading the fund raising event. “She fell into a coma and after months of no progress, the family decided to move Esther to Seattle, Washington. She has close family members there who took care of her,” Mr. Mbugua added.

He then announced that people were gathered there on that day in remembrance of Esther and to contribute money to assist in the expensive process of burial. “Let us not cry. We are here to celebrate the awesome life of Njeri,” said Mr. Ben, before kicking off the fundraising.

Ms. Muiruri passed away while undergoing specialized treatment in Seattle to the shock of family members who were still hoping for a quick recovery. Esther left behind two daughters, 18 and 14. The younger daughter was present at the funds drive while the elder was in Kenya, having escorted her grandmother back after she visited the family in the USA.

Speaking at the event, a close cousin of Esther described vividly how Esther loved joking and teasing. “She loved people and used to tease a lot,” Mr.  Kimungu said. “We shall all miss her a lot,” he added.

Esther had a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and also graduated as a Registered Nurse from River Park College, Nashua, New Hampshire.

Rev. Dr. Karimi Mumbui, Esther’s pastor at the Kenyan Community Ushindi Presbyterian Church in Lowell, led the mourners and well-wishers in prayer.  The host, Rev. Samuel Kimohu, gave a vote of thanks to all those who had helped the deceased family in the hour of need. He also urged them to give from the bottom of their hearts for there is blessing in giving.

Story by Harrison Maina
AjabuAfrica.com
June/17/2008