It Takes A Village

Judith, her daughter Eunice, and other children are incredibly grateful for the support following the devastating flood

Kokise village, a beautiful village with a small beach along the expansive Lake Victoria in Kenya, boasts a strong, close-knit community. This network of support, along with the help of Chalice donors, jumped in to help Eunice (a sponsored child through our Asembo site) and her family after a devastating flood last spring.

Eunice's widowed mother, Judith, supports her seven children's basic needs through buying and selling fish and extra food crops grown on her property. Her farm bordered Kokise beach and the house was very close to the lake. Last year during the rainy season, Lake Victoria waters increased to a record level, claiming Judith's home and land.

Because school was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eunice and her six siblings were all home the night of the flood. Thankfully, the entire family escaped unharmed.

The community rallied around Judith and her family. Because the land she owned is vulnerable to future flooding, the family was given a new parcel of land higher up, partly donated by a community member and partly paid by her community. Her Chalice family circle, along with friends and families, also raised money to help pay other expenses, while her congregation assisted with titles and ownership.

Once this was in place, Chalice donors quickly raised over $8,000 to build the family a three-room house and replace essential household goods lost in the flood. The community is also helping build an external kitchen and latrine.

The site and community continue to assist the family through prayer and psychosocial support, and they are steadfastly coming through this traumatic period and settling into their new home.

"On behalf of Judith's family and the Asembo community, I hereby send our sincere gratitude to you dear sponsors," says Sr. Jacinta, site director for Asembo. "Your love, kindness, and support at this critical period will remain in the hearts of our people for many years to come. We thank you and continue to pray for you."

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