World Inflation and how it is affecting our students' community

All family budgets are coming under pressure due to the major world problems with the Ukraine war really causing food shortage problems for the poorest in many African countries. In the UK, food, fuel and energy prices are very worrying and many people are cutting back on all but the basics. Treats, including 'eating out' and possibly holidays may have to be drastically reduced. But what is the reality for those in the Miriu/Ramula communities? Here is Tom Bilo's latest report:

A BRIEF REPORT

We as Kenyan partners are so happy that you have always stood with us. A year ago when COVID 19 was a real international threat, SSF UK remained true friends in times of need. You were there for us when you were also struggling with your own home challenge (This is true love).Life is good when people are happy but life is best when other people are happy because of you. This is who SSF IS.

Despite all the challenges, SSF still managed the following;

1. Paid fees for up to 57students in three secondary schools,

2. Supported 4 college students.

3. Bought Fertilizers, insecticides and seeds which have reduced hunger amongst our own students.

4. Built four houses for the families that could not afford a house (Fred, Mitchell, Felix and a woman whose husband was killed by rustlers)

5. Four students were given sheep (ewe), one ram given to Emily and goes round to serve the female sheep.

6. Frequent food bags.

7. Supported AOM to buy nets, blankets, food and run their activities.

8. Jakes May visit

9. Above all you are the reason to make us believe in the goodness of people.

Item Price 3 months ago Price today

1 tin of Maize 90 Kenyan shillings 200 kshs

1 bar of soap 90 kshs 210 kshs

1 tin of beans 170 kshs 280 kshs

1 litre of petrol# 95 kshs 160 kshs

1 litre of milk 50 kshs 90 kshs

25kg rice 1750 kshs 3600kshs

We remain so happy with you continuous support

Reported by Tom Bilo 14/07/2022

(the price of petrol is obviously impacting on food getting to local markets and therefore the prices of the foods themselves).

The reality of these price increases mean that many families that were just about surviving with a little help 3 months ago are no longer able to buy even the most basic food items for meals. Many young children (6 - 10 years) are being sent out to work on the bigger farm plots to earn very small amounts of money to buy ridiculously small amounts of food for their families. Children are resorting to 'scrumping' very small bitter fruits that are barely edible. Stealing from other people's crops is normally unthinkable but young children can be so hungry that it is now happening.

The good and slightly better off people in the Miriu community are doing their best and church groups such as Acts of Mercy who received a small amount of money from SSF in the last transfer, matched it and bought in 2 large sacks of maize and one of beans. These were then divided and distributed to the families with young children and the frail and elderly.

Thank you all for your support. We will continue to lend it to this very poor community which is really struggling just to feed itself.