>> Sudan Declares Darfur Ceasefire.

Posted in Africa News, Sudan Regrowth | no comments

Please remember our African friends who are living in Sudan, as there is more violence happening in the country. We continue to hold out hope for peace!

>> Armies ‘head for central Sudan’

Posted in Africa News, Sudan Regrowth | no comments

>> See update on Kenya Election Riots and how you’ve been helping the Kenyan people.

Posted in Africa News, Education, Sudan Regrowth, Orphan Care, HIV/AIDS | 1 comment

We wanted to share more about what African Leadership and Mocha Club have done to address the needs created by the violence of the election in Kenya. Some of these relief items were distributed to displaced people through our network of churches in Kenya, and some were distributed to HIV+ people we work with in Kibera (in Nairobi), the biggest slum in East Africa.

The following funds provided for about 7000 family members! THANK YOU for doing your part to provide for the Kenyan people!

MC & AL RELIEF DISTRIBUTION FOR KENYA
(view more photos of distribution here)

ITEM	PRICE (USD)	COST PER UNIT (USD)
Maize meal 5780 KGS	$4,904	$0.85
Rice 100 KGS	113.60	1.14
Bread 215 loaves	101.20	0.47
Milk 1200 pkts	418.10	0.35
Milk 18 Tins	163.60	9.09
Cooking Oil 2520 Tins	3,627.20	1.44
Sugar 1520 KGS	1,556.80	1.02
Tea leaves 1820 pkts	965.10	0.53
Soap 450 bars	518.10	1.15
Blankets 92 pcs	578.40	6.29
Plates 150 pcs	72.70	0.48
Dry beans 4 sacks	392.70	98.17
Dry maize 5 sacks	95.40	19.08
Empty sacks	13.60	n/a
47 people with special cases (30 needed transport to western, 17 with paraffin, charcoal, sanitary towels,stove, etc)	712.00	n/a
Transport (taxis,fuel, and hiring a truck)	373.40	n/a
Car repair	166.60	n/a
Phone calls	106.00	n/a
Meals/refreshments	90.90	n/a
Photos	22.50	n/a
Miscellaneous	2.00	n/a
TOTAL	$15,000 USD

Posted in Africa News, HIV/AIDS | no comments

We wanted to keep you updated on the situation in Sudan from our partners in Nyamlel. This problem is affecting the building of the new boys’ orphanage in Nyamlel. We are hoping and praying that the supplies can make it to Nyamlel safely soon!

James (indigenous Sudanese Director for our partners in Sudan), Angelina (his new wife) and Kevin (another staff member) have spent the last several weeks buying supplies in Nairobi, Kenya for the boys’ dormitories. Supplies were more expensive and harder to come by than when we went through this process for the building of the girls’ dorm due to the recent political unrest in Kenya. However, they finally got all of the trucks loaded late last week – with several hundred thousand dollars worth of supplies.

The drivers embarked upon their journey, heading north to Nyamlel, Sudan. Once the trucks left Nairobi, James, Angelina and Kevin flew up to Nyamlel to make the necessary preparations to break ground and receive the supplies. Then, our partners received a call on Friday (May 2) from James who told them that four of the trucks have been held just across the border in Sudan. He is working within country trying to find help to get them released.

This also happened to one of the trucks in January but it was delivered safely a few days later. We trust that a way will be made again!

Although the two leaders in the Kenya election opposition have signed a Peace document, the murder and rioting among the people of Kenya has escalated again. Once these two leaders set their sects into the motion of raids, burning of homes and vehicles, rapes and murder, the simple signing of a paper will not resolve the pain among the people.

Not only is this a travesty for what has traditionally been the most stable country in Africa (Kenya), but it also makes the stakes much higher for the people of Sudan. Kenya has been Sudan’s most sympathetic and helpful neighbor during five decades of war. Their instability will greatly hurt Sudan, a people with no internal support.

Here are some recent articles on the situations in Sudan & Kenya for you to check out:
>> Darfur deaths “could be 300,000” (Note that here the UN has increased its estimate of the number of deaths in Darfur)
>> Deal to end Kenyan crisis agreed
>> Odinga sworn in as Kenyan premier
>> Kenyans killed in sect protests
>> Kenya cash shortfall over cabinet
>> Push to resettle Kenya displaced

Posted in Sudan Regrowth, Orphan Care, Africa News | no comments

Here are links to the latest updates on the delay in signing the peace agreement in Uganda. Please pray that this agreement would be signed and a lasting peace would come to Uganda.

>> Uganda Rebels Delay Peace Signing

>> Ugandan Negotiators Leave Venue

Posted in Africa News, Child Mothers | no comments

Many of you may have been following the news of the recent elections in Kenya in January that caused horrific riots, violence, and hundreds of thousands of displaced people. We wanted to share the great news that some funds from Mocha Club have been designated towards the relief of the Kenyan people! Thank you for helping us care for our brothers and sisters in Kenya.

BACKGROUND INFO: WHAT HAPPENED?
This article explains the background on the violence that erupted after the election. The bloodshed exposed tribal resentments that have long festered in Kenya, where Kibaki’s Kikuyu people – the largest group – are accused of turning their dominance of politics and business to the detriment of others. Defeated opposition candidate Raila Odinga and his supporters said the vote was rigged, and Raila Odinga called for nationwide rallies. Raila is a member of the Luo tribe. International observers, representatives from England and the USA indicated irregularities in the election that warranted investigation.

More background info about the riots:
>> Angry exchanges as Kenya MPs meet
>> UN warns Kenya aid need may grow
>> Kenya police used ‘lethal force’
>> Many dead in fresh Kenya unrest
>> Kenya opposition calls off rally

GOOD NEWS! As of February 28th, it was announced that the two parties had come to a peaceful agreement! The new coalition will be headed by President Kibaki, with Raila Odinga in the position of Prime Minister.
>> Kenya rivals agree to share power

WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
At the peak, there were about 600,000 displaced people in Kenya as a result of all this political unrest. African Leadership, Mocha Club’s parent organization, and Mocha Club have partnered with our national director in Kenya, Benson Mutisya, and several local churches and relief organizations to provide relief in the form of desperately needed food, household products, blankets, transportation, and security fencing for an IDP compound. We have a plan for helping with the continued relief over the next few months, not only for those who have fled their homes but for people trying to remain in the Kibera slum of Nairobi where AL has been working for the last 15 years.

Here are some photos from a distribution of food coupons for over 300 HIV/AIDS victims in Kibera, Kenya who were affected by the post-election violence! The coupons work very well with people in Kibera due to security issues when distributing food items.

See more photos of the relief distribution in Kibera.
And we are going to continue in the relief. Unfortunately, one of the churches we support in Kibera, Emmanuel Presbyterian, was burned, but it is being rebuilt. African Leadership is committed to building a vocational training school and a nursery there as soon as the church has been repaired.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OTHER MOCHA CLUB PROJECTS?
Unfortunately, what has happened in Kenya has affected other Mocha Club projects…specifically those of you supporting Sudan Regrowth & Orphan Care. The sterile surgical unit in Sudan has been put on HOLD because of what has gone on in Kenya. Because of Sudan’s instability and Kenya’s former stability, all the building supplies came from Kenya. Now, a truck that originally delivered for $10,000 is charging $25,000. It’s Africa’s reality right now. The Boys’ Dormitory is moving forward now! Please pray with us that these projects can successfully continue!

Posted in Africa News, Sudan Regrowth, Orphan Care, HIV/AIDS | no comments