Sent: To Ellen Osgood, Thu, 31 Jan 2008 1:52 pm
From: Christine Dinsmore
Subject: Update on Kodi Kids & Kenya
Dear Friends of the Kodi Kids:
As the violence in Kenya takes center stage, many of you have been asking about the Kodi kids and their safety. I'm happy to report that all the children are safe. Unfortunately, the tainted election and the subsequent bloodshed has not left them untouched. As you know, Valaria and her aunt and cousin who she lives with had to move to another neighborhood. She was also transferred to another school as she was the only Luo in her previous school and the family feared harassment and retaliation. So she has been enrolled in a school of mixed tribal roots. The school year, which began in January, has been disrupted with the session beginning, only to be closed on a pretty regular basis.
The boarding schools of the other children have been more closed than opened. With the country's violence erupting nearly daily, the children are more out of school than in. Additionally, one of their uncles was trapped by a mob in Nairobi and was rescued by police. His home was burnt to the ground. He is safe, however. The Kodi family is understandably distraught about what's happening in Kenya, but have faith that Kofi Annan will mediate the two parties to a positive place. They believe that their homeland will return to its former calm and peaceful state and life will return to normal.
Below is a link to an analysis of what's the underlying cause of the bloodshed. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/29/6719/
I'll keep you posted.
Best, Christine Dinsmore
http://www.christinedinsmore.com/kodi_kids.html
La única lucha que se pierde es la que se abandona. (The only struggle you lose is the one you abandon.)-- Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo
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