PROJECTS | Case Studies | Kenya (WEAEP)

WEAEP – Support for children displaced by conflict

ICT and Western Education Advocacy and Empowerment Programme (WEAEP) have been working in partnership since June 2006. WEAEP is a local Kenyan NGO, based in Kakamega, which was established to promote the rights of poor children and their families in Western Province. Mukondi was one of more than 5,000 vulnerable children that WEAEP helped during 2008.

Mukondi and her five siblings used to live with her parents in Nakuru, the provincial capital of Kenya's Rift Valley Province. In 2007, when she was just 11 years old, she witnessed the murder of her father. He was killed during the violent protests that followed the controversial presedential elections, which resulted in unprecedented violence and destruction of property throughout Kenya. Her family’s house containing all that the family owned was also burnt down during riots. Without any shelter, clothing or food, the family was forced to beg during the day and sleep on the streets at night.

“We slept on very cold verandahs and our nights seemed much longer than usual. Water was such a luxury, let alone food. Every night we would here gunshots - I feared for my life! One night, we had to run for our lives. I lost my mother during the commotion.”

Following a number of days living on the streets with little food and water, Mukondi and her siblings were herded into a trailer and dropped off at the provincial administration office where they joined other ‘Internally Displaced Persons’. Here, they were met by a representtive from WEAEP who told them about the services they provided and encouraged them to visit WEAEP’s drop-in centre.

At the drop-in centre their immediate needs were met – Mukondi and her brothers and sisters were given food and clothing and were able to have a wash. During her time spent with WEAEP, Mukondi also attended a number of counselling sessions at the centre, which helped her deal with the trauma of losing her parents, particularly witnessing her father’s death. Following placement in temporary accomodation, WEAEP recently secured a permanent home for Mukondi and her siblings. WEAEP is currently trying to locate their mother.