Gleams of Hope

 The greatest test of humanity is helping without expecting anything in return. Climate injustice has seen several places adversely affected by torrential rains with Mathare slums being one of the most affected areas. Survivors of the flood sadly tell of how they barely escaped with anything but their lives as the floods marooned the only places they knew as their homes. Climbing to get to the roof to seek refuge from drowning seemed to be the only feasible solution, but this was not an inclusive option taking into consideration people with disabilities.

Join us, and together, let’s continue writing the story of impact and transformation, one chapter at a time.

When the world came caving in and all hope seems to have been lost, volunteers stand to be the light at the end of the tunnel. With only a few of them bearing the tenacity of a lion’s heart and being familiar with the terrain of the slum, they embarked on rescue efforts to carry through those trapped in and on their houses. It is definitely not a walk in the park but rather putting their lives on the frontline for the sake of many others. Natural calamities do not come with a warning.  It rained and it poured. A  lot could have been done prior to maintain the mankind and nature balance, but when a disaster strikes that is not the time to point fingers.

 The greatest test of humanity is helping without expecting anything in return. Climate injustice has seen several places adversely affected by torrential rains with Mathare slums being one of the most affected areas. Survivors of the flood sadly tell of how they barely escaped with anything but their lives as the floods marooned the only places they knew as their homes. Climbing to get to the roof to seek refuge from drowning seemed to be the only feasible solution, but this was not an inclusive option taking into consideration people with disabilities.

Join us, and together, let’s continue writing the story of impact and transformation, one chapter at a time.

When the world came caving in and all hope seems to have been lost, volunteers stand to be the light at the end of the tunnel. With only a few of them bearing the tenacity of a lion’s heart and being familiar with the terrain of the slum, they embarked on rescue efforts to carry through those trapped in and on their houses. It is definitely not a walk in the park but rather putting their lives on the frontline for the sake of many others. Natural calamities do not come with a warning.  It rained and it poured. A  lot could have been done prior to maintain the mankind and nature balance, but when a disaster strikes that is not the time to point fingers.

 “Walking around in the sun just for the sun to dry the only piece of clothing you have and you are a young mother is not only psychologically detrimental but it also poses health risks to you and the baby.”  This is one of many  devastating scenarios that Enkare Oltau Volunteers had to address. The organization  stayed committed to its mandate of upholding human dignity and promoting human rights to all and sundry.  With them they carried a wide array of donations ranging from bedding to clothing and food  to address the vital social needs. This act of compassion was a beacon of hope to the affected people as it not only provided the so needed resources but it also provided psychosocial support.

Where there used to be a school in Mathare slums only lies rubble now. This clearly denotes that there is a lot more that needs to be done. Taking into account the ongoing floods, volunteers stand as the unsung heroes in no caps.  When our goal is leaving no one behind, adopting a holistic approach is a sine qua non. With the Meteorological department warning that the rains are going to continue, there is need to encourage volunteerism among people.

This is in a bid to address collectively the challenges brought about by the floods. From various parts of the country, we have seen volunteers stand in solidarity with those affected by the floods. Volunteers have been at the forefront in providing immediate assistance like rescuing stranded individuals and distributing food among other basic essentials  and educating communities on disaster preparedness. These are initiatives that various stakeholders should support to promote efficient delivery of resources, services and efficacious mobilization of volunteers. As we work towards building resilient and sustainable communities, the role of volunteers cannot be underscored enough. There is room enough for everyone to volunteer.

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