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Churches and civic organizations have launched a fundraising drive for a dozen of Kenyans living in Houston, Texas area in the US who were affected by hurricane Harvey and forced from their homes or their property damaged.
A GoFundMe account has been created to raise funds for the Kenyan community in diaspora affected by the ordeal.
“The journey to recovery will be long, but with your help we hope to make it less painful to those affected by Harvey,” states a website (https://www.gofundme.com/kenyans-for-harvey ) associated with the drive.
“This is about brothers supporting brothers, neighbors supporting neighbors and most important strangers supporting strangers.”
It was reported that about 50 Texas residents died in the aftermath of the massive storm that smashed the record for the heaviest rainfall ever witnessed on the US mainland.
Leaders of the Houston Harambee operation, however, said that there has been no reports of Kenyans who were physically harmed by Harvey.
“We do know of 26 families affected,” Ms Brenda Beekay, an accountant at a Houston oil and gas company who is active in the Kenyan community said.
“Seven or eight have lost all their belongings,” she added. “A majority have had housing damage.”
Ms Beekay said she was not affected by the hurricane since her home is on high ground.
Beekay said that many roads in the area remained impassable, making it difficult for some Houstonians in need of assistance to reach relief centers.
Mr Dan Mugubi, a psychology professor at the University of Houston said that Kenyans displaced by the storm are being housed by fellow Kenyans in unaffected parts of Texas
“I’ve lived in Houston for 16 years and have never been through anything like this,” Mr Mugubi said. “It’s a complete nightmare.”
"Those engaged in the local relief efforts are seeking assistance from the Kenyan embassy in Washington but have so far gotten no response to their requests," said Ms Beekay.
Donations are being received through the Lantel Foundation, a Texas-registered charity run by Houston Kenyan activist Bernard Wambugu.
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ALL the Kenyan Embassy in Washington KNOWS (I have been told) is Hosting Parties (Holiday and Celebration) for Themselves and Kenyan Diasporans in the Vicinity mostly. The Kenya Education Attache (for Example) does NOT help Struggling Kenyan STUEDENTS in the US, it gives no "dime" when some are facing deportation (for Example); and NEITHER does it Help the Berieved like (I hear) they are supposed to. Ni KUPONDA raha tu Hapo Majuu. At least the Country of Botswana Takes Care of its folks in the US.
guest1, Ihave heard that Kenyan embassy used to financially help Kenyans in diaspora,and took active roll in making sure the deceased kenyan is taken to his or her final resting place in kenya promptly. If this is true, something went wrong.Or may be budget cuts did it...or some individuals are pocketing funds set aside for such purposes.
Smiley. You seem to be in the know; and you just took words out of My Mouth. Some people have gone up there Seeking Audience for help have been left "High and Dry" right at the door; and with Rude Response to chew. Someone is Pocketing the Money (for Parting, Dining, and Wining).
Of course our Washington Embassy in DC was among that had funds missing a year or two ago. I applied for national ID, paid with a money order and I have not received it up to now and there is no one accountable. You can never get any answer as to what happened to the application.Yes, they can throw parties but when it comes to working for the wananchi - zip zero. I stand corrected.
Kenyans affected by hurricane disasters in either Texas or Florida should contact FEMA in their counties for all kind of assistance. There are billions of dollars available to cater for this kind of help availed by the federal government through FEMA.
Isn't FEMA helping rebuild or ? I already donated to red cross.