High Cloud Foundation News -- High Clouders in Kenya are struggling to keep students enrolled in school as severe drought affects Masai pastoral areas. Children are moving with their families and livestock, so they are forsaking education and home comforts.
"Education is not a guarantee or a priority, rather everything has to be put on hold because the cattle are their source of livelihood," said Rachel Herbers, High Cloud's liaison to Africa. "It's a matter of survival for both the livestock and the family."
The Kenya Red Cross reports that ten million people are in danger of starvation, and pastoralists like the Masai tribe are among those at greatest risk. The Kenyan government declared a drought emergency in January.
Infrequent rains have precipitated food shortages and population displacement across Kenya. Some people must walk longer than 20 miles to find water. The conditions have sparked conflict among some tribes, and the region still suffers from the outbreak of post-election violence from last year.
Joseph Ole Tipanko of Masai Good Salvage Outreach Organization and The High Cloud Foundation is keeping High Cloud initiatives going in the region. School starts Monday despite drought conditions. But the drought serves up a struggle, and Tipanko has notified the foundation that many children have moved with their parents and livestock to find fertile land.
"Our working here has been greatly been affected by the current drought situation affecting Kenya and Masailand now," said Tipanko. "Some of the students and families have moved from their homes to follow their cows, goats, sheep and donkeys in search of green pasture and water for their livestock."
The animals constitute the backbone of the Masai pastoralists' livelihoods. But Tipanko continues the struggle to keep children grounded in their education.
"Sometimes we are forced to follow the children and find where they are to try and assess their fate and assist them where possible," he said. "But our assistance has really been affected by lack of resources and funds to buy the school children and their families the much needed food."
The Kenya Red Cross and news sources confirm that children are likely to leave home as the drought continues.
"This is a very sad time in Kenya, but I know that there are many people all around the world who are experiencing such hardships and challenges," said Herbers. "I hope that by good people uniting in efforts to help others, that we can truly make a positive impact on this world."
READ MORE ABOUT THE DROUGHT IN KENYA:
http://www.africanews.com/
http://www.irinnews.org/Re
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