Dear sisters and brothers,
 
My name is Shyleen Momanyi. I’m getting in touch with a heavy heart regarding the current situation of flooding in Kenya.

The floods have brought immense hardship to families, displacing people, and many families are desperate and in need of assistance. The government is reporting that over 200,000 people have been displaced with over 228 deaths. Although it’s likely far more.
 
Those living in informal settlements have been the worst affected, particularly in Mathare, one of the largest informal settlements in Nairobi which was constructed along the banks of the Mathare River. Now, after record rainfall, the river has burst its banks and thousands of homes have been destroyed.

Our organisation, the Young Women’s Leadership Institute (YWLI), a partner organisation of Womankind Worldwide, has received a huge number of requests for support from individuals and colleagues in the counties affected. We are overwhelmed.
 
So far, we have collected and sent clothes and household items to those affected in the Mathare and Kawangware informal settlements in Nairobi and secured temporary accommodation for two months for five activists who have lost their homes.
In Mathare, we have donated funding to support a community kitchen. This week we are mobilising resources and volunteers to provide further relief.
 
YWLI is urgently requesting donations to support us with these emergency relief efforts.
Can you help us get people’s homes, livelihoods, and education back on track?
 
Families who have lost everything are taking shelter anywhere they can. We hope to supply the following items to those affected: 

• Food Packages
• Household Items; blankets, sheets, mattresses, mosquito nets, clothes
• Educational Materials; Books, pens, school bags, and uniforms
• Sanitary Pads
• Rent towards temporary housing for displaced families. 

Please spare what you can to help us get people back on their feet.
 
With best wishes
 
Shyleen Momanyi 
Executive Director,
Young Women’s Leadership Institute (partner of Womankind Worldwide)

Header image: Shyleen Momanyi (Credit: Atieno Muyuyi)