Marafiki during COVID19
When 2020 started we knew that there would be challenges marking the 10 year anniversary of Marafiki Community International. We definitely didn’t expect that COVID19 would become such a familiar name that even little kids know about. Our world, just like yours, has come to a standstill.
Most of our volunteers and team members have gone home to be with their families at this time and there has been a few tears shed even though we know that this is just a break and certainly not the end!
When volunteers come to Kenya or when I have to explain to a donor who we are and what we do, this is a common sentence – “we are here for the long haul, and while volunteers are a huge help to our mission, our mission still stands without them.” I can’t remember how many times I’ve said this in the last 5 years. Well guys, this is the time to show how we can do it!
The COVID19 epidemic has brought my home country to its knees. My heart breaks daily for Spain and for Italy (a place I hold dear to my heart), and I think about my family and how little access I have to them now. Every other day I get asked if I’m going to eventually be evacuated from Kenya, and unless God has other plans, ours is to stay put and see what we can do for our community at this time. This is our home and our people.
We have always been so happy to be able to say we found a sustainable source of income for Marafiki that didn’t require us doing massive fundraisers as we understand everyone has so many expenses in their lives to take care of. We set up a social enterprise travel agency which has been such a life saver up to now. However, now that borders are closed and there is such uncertainty and financial strain on people everywhere, that is no longer an option.
And so, I’m here to ask for your help to keep Marafiki Community International running. We want to be able to take care of the needs of our community – which have now changed greatly from setting up sustainable projects to just be able to eat. Don’t worry, we still will always look at how people can survive without always needing help, but today, with this epidemic, we do need to feed them first.
What kinds of things do they need? Our schools and children’s homes need food, soap and medication to be able to be prepared for this time. We continue to brainstorm ways of being there for our people now, but we know we can start by making sure our placements have what they need.
Any donation, big or small, helps. And if you are in the US, you can get the benefit of tax relief on your donation through our partners, Tumaini Volunteers Inc. If you would rather donate in a more direct way, contact me on marta@marafikicommunity.org.
We will come through this. Together.
Marta Macharia