Acts of Mercy and our Amazing 'Grandmas'

In the Miriu Area of Nyanaza Provence, one of the small local parishes is the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It has approximately 80 members and Pastor Jasper Olawo.

Acts of Mercy is a group of the women who attend and their aim is to support the old and needy in the whole community. Their support is both spiritual and social.

The help given is for so many of the older generation who have lost their grown up children to disease and other social problems, leaving them alone or with grandchildren to bring up.

Above: (left to right) Zilpa,Elsa,Martha and Helida

Right: Leah the Chairlady with Nora Awino. Nora has severe mobility probems and finds it very difficult to walk.

She has just received a new warm blanket (Kenyan nights can be very cold!) and an invaluable new and intact mosquito net.

Acts of Mercy have so many needy people to consider but there are only 15 of them. So a few of the SSF donors have been supplementing their funds and in effect working in partnership. These elderly 'Grandmas' in some cases are acting as parents to students that SSF sponsors to go to secondary school along with siblings that go to primary school.

Helida also benefitted this week. These women who have done so much for their community are so grateful for these gifts.

Acts of Mercy also collect gifts of maize and vegetables along with eggs, sugar and matches which are essential for cooking all meals. Without a very small amount of money, even buying matches to cook hot meals can be impossible for some of these fantastic women. Acts of Mercy are doing their best to prevent the lack of these essentials and SSF donors are doing what they can as well.