Three children and two guardians died during famine period at the Ugunja Orphans Care Unit in Kenya.
The Ugunja Orphans Care Unit announced the deaths of three children during the month of June, near the end of a harsh seasonal famine. Two of these orphans died of malnutrition (kwashiorkor and marasmus) and one of typhoid. In addition, two guardians died.
Ugunja, Kenya (PRWEB) July 7, 2004
The Ugunja Orphans Care Unit announced the deaths of three children during the month of June, near the end of a harsh seasonal famine. Two of these orphans died of malnutrition (kwashiorkor and marasmus) and one of typhoid. In addition, two guardians died.
"It has been a very difficult time," said Care Unit director Charles Kawuor about the recent months of hunger and sickness between the depletion of food stores and the next harvest. "The most dangerous time for us is February to July."
These are the names of the children who died:
Lawrence Ochieng was eight years old. He attended Sires Primary School, first grade. He was the only remaining member of his original family, his parents and then his brother having previously passed away. His ambition was to be a pilot when he grew up.
Lilian Akinyi was 11 years old and going to Ambira primary school. Her father, Joseph Dola, died in 2001, and her mother passed away in 2002. They were peasant farmers. Lilian was the first born in the family of three girls. She planned to be a teacher.
Domnic Ochieng was 13 years old, a fifth grader in Nyasanda Primary School. His parents, Vitalice Onyango and Selline Anyango, died in 1998. He was the seventh born in the family of four boys and four girls. His goal was to be a teacher. His favorite hobby was football (soccer).
Peter Okoth and Evelyn Kombe were the guardians who passed away. The Care Unit's orphans live with the families of volunteer guardians in the community. Most of these families are subsistence farmers and depend on rainfall, which limits the growing seasons. When food stores from harvests are depleted, there is little money to purchase retail goods.
"Last month we lost two good guardians who were very instrumental in protecting the rights of an orphaned child," said director Kawuor. "We still struggle with the loss, just as we are mourning the three orphans. We also struggle with placement of those orphans left by the deaths of the guardians."
Harvests of the first crop, beans, are now beginning, and corn will follow a few weeks later. Without more outside assistance, however, hunger will return to the orphans within months. Besides food, funding for medical needs, educational fees, and transportation are needed.
The Ugunja Orphans Care Unit is a non-profit, all-volunteer Kenya community organization which helps to provide orphans with homes, food, medical care, educational needs, and counseling. It cares primarily for children whose parents have died from AIDS.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Charles Kawuor, Director
Ugunja Orphans Care Unit
P. O. Box 407
Ugunja 40606, Kenya.
