October 19th, 2009
Fire!
On Monday October 12, one week ago this evening, a sudden inferno reduced nine Kijabe homes to ashes in a matter of just ten minutes. The homes were all simple wood-board structures built very close together. The blaze was reportedly started by an electrical fault in one of the homes. Miraculously, there were no serious injuries. But the fire left nine families, all of them Kijabe Hospital employees, destitute. They were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing at the time.
The suddenly homeless families are currently being hosted by other hospital staff until suitable alternative housing can be arranged. This may take some time. Housing is at a premium in Kijabe, and no one currently has a workable solution for how to find housing for these nine families in the Kijabe area. It will take some time to rebuild the destroyed houses, assuming that money for rebuilding can somehow eventually be found.
News about the fire spread quickly. I was surprised to receive an email the next day from Nathan, our oldest son who lives in Arkansas, asking about the fire and whether everyone is okay. He had learned about the fire from a Facebook friend of his who is on staff at RVA (Rift Valley Academy, which is also in Kijabe.)
One difference between Western and African culture is whether self identity is individualist or collective in nature. When such a tragedy strikes a Western community, the typical reaction is for people to think, “How tragic for them!” In contrast, African community members typically think, “How tragic for us!” Thus, as a member of the hospital community, this devastating fire is as much a tragedy for me as it is for those who used to dwell in those homes.
The hospital’s Chaplaincy Department has spearheaded the organization and coordination of relief activities including the collection of donated clothing, foodstuffs, bedding, personal supplies, etc. The hospital has opened a special account for those wishing to make monetary contributions towards the needs of those burned out of their homes. Whether by money or by gifts in kind, the hospital community has responded quickly and generously. Today we were informed that the clothing needs of the fire victims have been met.
Current immediate needs include: foodstuffs; sleeping items including mattresses, linens and blankets; and personal items including school books and supplies for the children. After these needs have been met, the next priority level will include cooking utensils and equipment, basic cutlery and table service; charcoal cookers and charcoal; lanterns and kerosene; jerry cans for water, buckets, and wash basins; cleaning items and stools. After these have been provided, perhaps in a month’s time depending on community response, the next priority will be to replace furniture such as tables, chairs, beds, etc. – assuming that the families have been provided with a place to live by then.
If anyone reading this feels a desire to help these families restore some of what they have lost, financial donations may be made to our ministry account (not our support account) and we will ensure that the money ends up in the hospital’s “Fire Tragedy” account. Send us an email informing us of your donation, and we will confirm back to you when the money has reached the hospital. You can send a check to SIM USA (PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241-7900) designated for “Bob & Hope Carter – ministry account” or you can give online at SIM USA - Giving. Remember to choose “ministry (work) account” in the drop-down menu under the “Designation” field. Thanks for your gifts and prayers for these suddenly destitute hospital workers.
