"Once more we are in the same situation. We do have a good farm, but we are now feeding over 230 people on a daily basis, and with the forms students not going away to board this January, the amounts of food needed are going to be far greater and prices are already skyrocketing. We would like to purchase at least one lorry of grain for both Hope Center (possibly two if we can raise enough money as their population is so high now), and Glory Center. With only forty-seven children at Glory, one load would last for several months.

They have not had time to develop a garden at their new location yet. It will be some time before it becomes productive. (Since we sent this email, donations have started to come in. By using what monies we are receiving, and borrowing some, we have been able to purchase these needed lorries of grain.  Next we will buy dried beans to store as well, anticipating further drought this summer.)

"I am sure you are aware from reading Spotlight on Orphans that we have been greatly blessed with several large contributions for the Hope Center lately, but these were given specifically for the building of the school, the development of both the farm and the vocational program of our new schools, and uniforms for the children. As has always been our policy, any money donated for a specific item is never diverted to another use. Additionally, the costs of these items were very carefully calculated so that we did not ask for more than needed for these projects.

It is important that you know this, so you realize we are still operating our orphanages on your sponsorship fees alone, not from these contributions, and why they cannot be used for the purchase of food. And while other similar organizations have considerably higher sponsorship fees, we have resisted raising our fees in order to be fair to the many new sponsors who have recently come on board, despite the rising cost of living and unfavorable exchange rate of US dollars to Kenyan shillings. If at all you are inclined to help with this effort, perhaps you could add a few extra dollars to your sponsorship contribution or send a general donation for famine relief.  Working together, we will be able to continue to save many more children from sure death."

The drought this year is said to be the worst since 1984, according to Joseph Mukabana, director of Kenya's Meteorological Department.  He expects over two-and-a-half million Kenyans to suffer from starvation.  Thousands of Kenyans are pastoralists, who depend on their cattle, goats and sheep for survival.  Some are trying to drive their animals into Uganda to graze, where the drought has not been as severe. Thousands of animals are dying daily, and Pastor reported even dogs dying from thirst in the streets.