By Allison Kozicharow; Edited by Elizabeth Fine
Residents in western Kenya, where a team of WiRED International’s community health workers (CHWs) serve, face ongoing poverty, disease and hunger each day, but their lives are especially difficult around the holidays. This time of year families see abundance elsewhere and only scarcity around their own communities.
In response, Sr. Bernadette Nealon of KUAP Pandipieri, based in Kisumu, Kenya and WiRED donors started the Sister Bernadette Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund in 2009 by asking for small donations or “lunch money” to ease the pain of families in Kisumu and rural areas in and around western Kenya. (Watch this 2022 video here.)
The idea caught on right away and contributions grew. Now every year WiRED collects donations for the fund, which subsidizes purchases of food and medicine. These purchases, directed by Sr. Bernadette, go directly to struggling families in the communities — with zero spent on administration or anything else.
Each December Sr. Bernadette and WiRED’s CHWs, who serve in these low-resource regions every day, distribute the food to the people in greatest need. As a Christmas surprise for the children, who usually get very little for the holidays, Sr. Bernadette and the CHWs provide special treats. They offer small candies or cookies to help make the holidays special in a region where treats are a luxury.
Your contribution will support WiRED’s annual effort. Once again we ask our generous donors to consider sending a few dollars to help. Even the cost of a modest restaurant meal for two people in the United States would more than cover the $30 for groceries to feed a family of five in this region of Kenya for a full week. We ask our friends to consider providing a special gift this year — food for several weeks or more.
The situation in western Kenya is dire. The ongoing war in Ukraine and extreme wet and then dry weather caused by climate change have disrupted the food supply chain, increased food insecurity and spiked the cost of food — with little relief in sight. This year the U.S. Administration’s elimination of global aid has made circumstances even more desperate for populations in Kenya and other countries in Africa.
We ask all our friends to consider a donation this year to the Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund. Your generosity will not only feed the hungry but make the holidays a little brighter.
See photos and stories from last year’s recipients of the Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund!
Penina Sigu
Penina Sigu is a 70-year-old widow. She runs a small food kiosk in Nyalenda settlement slums of Kisumu, Kenya to sustain herself and her nine grandchildren. The food kiosk is struggling since customers bought food on credit but left the area before paying for it. Supporting her grandchildren is a challenge. Penina is so happy to receive a gift from the Sister Bernadette Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund. “My grandchildren can now have meals for some days,” she says.
Edward Omondi
Edward was born blind. He hails from the Obunga informal settlements, where he lives with his wife and three children. Currently he sells shoes for a living; however, he reported that the business is not doing well due to the poor economy of Kenya. Edward was very happy to receive the Christmas gift from the Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund. He said, “I’m happy my family and I can finally enjoy eating some doughnuts this Christmas.”
Elizabeth Akacha
Elizabeth lives in Nyalenda informal settlements. She plants vegetables nearby on a government-owned piece of land. She fears that soon she might be forced to vacate because the land will be repossessed by the government. Elizabeth relies on planting vegetables as a source of living; but she informed the project that the current torrential rains have destroyed the vegetables that she planted. Apart from her children, Elizabeth also takes care of her late brother’s children. She says that life is very hard, but Elizabeth is so grateful for the generosity of those who contributed to the gift she received, and she’s happy the children can eat something different for Christmas 2023. Elizabeth is an example to all of the KUAP-Pandipieri staff for the care she gives to the children.
Consolata Mawang’
Consolata lives in a two-room house in Nyalenda informal settlements. Due to her physical disability she has no source of income. She relies on her well-wishers for support. Receiving a Christmas gift from the Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund from the USA was such an exciting moment for Consolata. She said, “May the donors be blessed abundantly.”
Photo Gallery of Some of the Children Helped by the Sunshine-Mitzvah Fund
