Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

You have all barely digested the gruesome images of more than 3 million starving people in Northern Kenya. Stefan and I are living in Kenya, and I am afraid I can only confirm that the effects of the drought are truly devastating.

The employees of Mekaela Academies have decided not to sit back passively watching the horrific suffering of their countrymen and are not prepared to accept this misery any longer. They have started a relief mission of their own. Together with parents they have raised funds to organise a lorry to bring food supplies into the affected area. More than a dozen teachers have volunteered to accompany the transport and distribute food to the hungry, primarily children.

The nearest refugee camp is located just 400 miles away from Mekaela Academies. Some of the volunteers are from the North, and their villages are less than 100 miles from the affected region. They know the area and will ensure that the mission will be a success. Shadrack Kalisa, the deputy administrator of Mekaela Academies, will lead the operation.

There is no time to lose, and we require a lot of money to provide effective aid. Thanks to the commitment of teachers and the parents we can guarantee that every donated Euro will be used exclusively for food supplies. I have estimated 10,000 Euros for the mission which would be enough to deliver around 15 tons of food to the North on a large lorry. If my campaign raises even more funds we would be happy to send a second lorry.

We are indeed talking about a huge amount of money and we can only achieve our target if we reach a lot of people. I know this is being ambitious, but if each of you send a charming email to his/her friends with a nice recommendation and a link to my campaign, we will raise the funds in no time.

My heartfelt pledge to you: Please donate 10 Euro and forfeit a donation receipt from Watoto e.V.  For tax purposes, you account statement is a valid donation receipt for donations up to 200 Euros (in Germany). I simply would like to avoid our society Watoto e.V. having to issue and mail a few thousand donation receipts.

I will post updates about my campaign on the Helpedia website. Stefan and I can assure you that your support will reach the hungry directly and fast.

I have chosen a word in Swahili for my action: FANYA!

The translation is: Just do it!

Best regards from Kenya,

Micki

30.07.: I was so happy and couldn't keep back the tears as I saw the amount of 8,000 Euro just after a day. If you agree, I will now increase the goal to 15,000 Euro or rather the support for two lorries.

Fanya - Just do it.

Best wishes,

Micki


01.08.: Your never-ending support is fantastic! I will no longer change the limit for donations. Just keep donating, we will just send a lorry every two weeks to the hunger-region, if you keep this up. Thanks so much, I am really touched and words can't express my happiness.

Micki


06.08.: We now have almost 30,000 Euro put altogether, being enough for two trips. The first convoy starts off to Lodwar on Wednesday and I will be accompanying it. Next week Stefan will place a link here to an internet page posting actual reports and photos.

Love and best wishes,

Micki