by Debbie Edwards
In early February, four diocesan representatives, two youth council members, one board member and four staff from Alongside Hope (formally known as PWRDF) traveled to Kenya to meet with partners and visit ongoing projects. It was my privilege to be a member of the delegation.
Over the next few months, I am going to write about the trip. I hope to offer glimpses of the work, partners and projects, from my perspective and experience.
Certainly, the trip was inspiring and informative. With this first article, I want to begin with my deepest overall impression, as well as share some frankly devastating news.
While in Kenya we were based in Nairobi but traveled to several outlying communities in Marsabit and Machakos.
The villages we went to and the homes we visited are mostly unlike anything we have here in our part of the world. However, what are villages and homes apart from people?
The answer is that they are just villages and homes, but when you add in people, then places become living, breathing communities.
For me, this is how the new name, Alongside Hope, came to life while traveling about in Kenya. Everywhere we traveled we were warmly welcomed, through song and dance. We were invited into the dance and did our best to join. It was joyful and very moving.
One of the women from our delegation described it as “stepping into a National Geographic documentary.”
It certainly was that, as you can see in the photos.
The Kenyans welcomed us because they understood we represented hope for their very day-to-day survival, as well as hope for better tomorrows (more about development projects in future articles).
However, for me it seemed so much more. As we joined in the dance we were literally “alongside” and, as I’ve said, we represented “hope,” but I remembered that being alongside with hope is reciprocal.
Alongside Hope is much more than just donors and recipients. It’s about shared hope, for better tomorrows and shared humanity, through partnerships and projects.
When I think of Alongside Hope, in the future, I will think about dancing in Kenya!
Our wonderful hosts in Kenya were Church World Service (CWS). CWS is an ecumenical relief organization, representing 17 Christian denominations, which began after the Second World War.
CWS Kenya was, quite frankly, wonderful. Not only did they plan all our community visits, but they also traveled with us everywhere, ensuring we were safe, comfortable and well-fed.
However, just days before our arrival, CWS, in Kenya and around the world, received devastating news. As the result of the elimination of USAid under US President Trump, CWS worldwide is losing 80 per cent of its funding.
Worldwide, thousands of staff have had to be laid off and millions of people will not eat nor have clean drinking water. It is heartbreaking and devastating.
The projects our delegation visited in Kenya were 100 per cent funded by Alongside Hope and, therefore, will not be affected.
However, Alongside Hope has announced a new fund called the Resilience Fund, in response to cuts by both the American government and others. Details to give to this appeal are on the website, www.alongsidehope.org.
Next month I plan to write about positive impacts, particularly on women and girls, as the result of Alongside Hope funding.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1. Our welcome to a village in Marsabit Co, Kenya. Debbie (in white) is in centre of photo.
2. Welcoming the delegation with dancing and song. Youth delegate Tessa is on the far left.
3. Debbie in Isiolo, Kenya.
4. Circle dance of welcome, under the tree for shade. Alongside Hope staff member Andrea Casey on left.
All photos courtesy of Debbie Edwards.