Kenya: "Live with Hope" - AIDS centre run by the Franciscan Sisters

Project application picture: Aids Victims in Kericho. @ACN
Project application picture: Aids Victims in Kericho. @ACN

In the run-up to the presidential elections in 2007/2008 Kenya was struck by political unrest and ethnic violence, and an estimated 600,000 or more people were forced to flee from their homes. At the time the "Live with Hope" centre, a care home for victims of HIV/AIDS, run by the Franciscan Sisters of the ImmaculateConception in Kericho near Kisumu, took in many of the refugees.

The opposition party, the ODM, had refused to recognize the reelection of President Mwai Kibaki, since they believed the elections to have been rigged. International observers also cast doubt on the result of the election. Gangs of youths, sympathetic to the opposition, vented their anger and frustration on their opponents, attacking members of the Kikuyu, Kisii und Kamba tribes with bows and arrows and setting their houses on fire. In the districts of Kericho and Kipkelion alone, over 30,000 people fled for shelter, to police stations and churches. Many were left without food or shelter or protection, and without medical aid as well. Around 1,500 of them fled from their burning huts in the slum area of Motobo, into the grounds of the Franciscan Sisters’ convent. The sisters had been running their AIDS centre, "Live with Hope" here for some years. Their work involves both AIDS prevention and the care of AIDS patients. Altogether 364 adults and 463 children aged 16 or under found shelter here in the camps. The food stores the sisters had set by for the patients were now also used to help the refugees.

For weeks the Franciscan Sisters did everything they could to help the homeless refugees. They managed to get hold of tents, food and medication. "The convent is undamaged, but all the homes round about have been burned down", wrote Sister Placida in her appeal to ACN. "The food parcels have run out, and many people are asking us for food. We are doing our best to help, but this situation is bound to continue, and so we are turning to you to see if you can possibly support us", she continued.

By now the food supplies were running low and there was a shortage of water throughout the region. The poorest of the poor were suffering, and the sisters could no longer help, since they had nothing left themselves. Along with around 3,000 refugees, they themselves were now dependent on help. And so ACN stepped in.

Our benefactors were very generous. "We want to express our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to ACN and its benefactors for this great help", writes Sister Placida. Altogether, ACN was able to send €12,000 to the sisters in Kenya. Some 1,200 families received €50 each, as a form of start-up capital to help them get back to some kind of work, while those whose homes were reduced to ashes were given a one-off help as well. Some 2,100 families were able to enjoy new items of clothing, and in all some 6,800 families were helped – giving new hope to everyone.

To know about this and many other similar projects in favour of the pastoral needs of the suffering Church, please contact our national offices.