Teenager supports the displaced in Eldoret
25/01/2008
Coming face to face with displaced people, SOS youth, Joseph, recounts his experience when, with his SOS brothers and sisters he went to assist in the distribution of relief food to displaced persons.
Helping the displaced in Eldoret
Joseph observes that the Kenyan populace was looking forward to voting. While it was billed the most competitive election ever, he shared the expectation of many Kenyans that the elections would be peaceful. As a young man, Joseph is disappointed that the country did not pass this test and is shell-shocked at the turn of events. “A previously peaceful citizenry whose only fault was to vote or speak a different tongue have become accustomed to the fear of gun shots, fires, and venomous mobs”, he laments.
During the skirmishes, Joseph went, together with his SOS brothers to offer a helping hand to the affected families who were camping at the Eldoret showground. He points out that this is where he came face to face with the reality on the ground. “We mingled with the affected brothers and sisters and for sure it was not pleasing”.
The struggles of the old
"The displacement respected no age and I was astonished to see this 85 year old man whom I noted was struggling to pitch his tent. I approached to help and in the course of doing so, I gathered from him that he had suffered a similar fate in 1992 during the tribal clashes. I could not help but listen but at the same time try to figure out what the future portends for this old man. While assisting him carry his luggage and the donations that he had received from the Red Cross, I learnt that some youths within the camp were charging 50 shillings (just under a dollar) to help erect the tents and that without me, the poor penniless old man would have been at crossroads as to where to get money to pay these youth. He was very grateful. I was happy to have volunteered to help him. As I was helping him, he was busy telling me what he saw and how it affected him. I was very touched by the experience of what the old man had gone through."
Gaining a wider understanding of social issues
Joseph argues that none is an exception to what was happening and urges his brothers not look at the problem as if it is far away from them. “By a twist of fate you could become one of those affected”, he cautions. "It is therefore important that we empathize and help where we can". He adds that as youth, they need to volunteer their services as a way of contributing to the local community and to gain an understanding of the wider social issues. "Helping the old man put up his tent was a worthwhile cause for me", he says. "There is not immediate reward when you go out and offer a helping hand but in the long run you will be rewarded in the most unexpected ways".
There is no doubt in Joseph’s mind that the current situation has caused untold suffering to many people and should never be allowed to continue. He poses a question: "How do we pull ourselves out of this tailspin? How do we keep ourselves from the rabbit hole of despair and paralysis that will eventually smother us? God help our country for we need no such violence now or in the future".
Relevant Countries: Kenya.