Christmas present from Kenya to Norfolk
A Christmas Joy event in Norwich raised vital funds and awareness for a Christian Aid project in Kenya working with pregnant women and babies in Kenya.
‘I am so grateful for your hospitality and gifts – they will make a real difference to pregnant women and babies in Kenya,’ said Stephen Ngugi from Kenya in Norwich last weekend.
Stephen works to reduce the death rate of mums and babies in Narok County in Kenya for Christian Aid. ‘When a woman in Narok County goes into labour and needs medical help they sometimes have to walk for 30 miles. If they start to give birth by the side of the road they will seek shelter in case of wild animals. There is also a real need for training and equipment. Thank you for helping to begin change.’
Stephen took part in a Christmas Joy event with people performing from Oak Grove Community Church, Chapelfield Methodist Church, TLC, St Luke’s and St Edmunds Taverham. It was held at St Thomas Church who also provided refreshments on Saturday. Stephen also led the audience in a praise song about finding fulfilment and truth in Jesus.
On Sunday Stephen visited Oak Grove Community Church. Darren Woodward, the Pastor said, ’we loved having Stephen with us. It is so good to connect with people serving God faithfully in other parts of the world.’
Julian Bryant, Norfolk Coordinator for Christian Aid said, ’Sometimes we promote the size of the gifts we give to others. I personally would like to recognise the warm welcome and hospitality people showed and also the prayers people offered for mums and babies in Kenya. Not every mum giving birth in a stable survives. In Kenya women are 40 times more likely to die giving birth than here. Stephen gave us so much as a voice of those living in poverty and our prayers and gifts were valued by him.’
For every pound given to the Christian Aid Christmas Appeal, the Government will give another pound to maternal health services in Kenya and Malawi including the project that Stephen works with. Each year 40,000 babies and 14,700 women die from complications during childbirth and pregnancy just in Kenya.
To add to the £500 raised over the weekend you can contact Julian on jbryant@christian-aid.org for giving envelopes, collecting tins, leaflets and activity sheets for children. You can also give online at www.christianaid.org.uk/deliverhope
Pictured top: supporters at Oak Grove. Below: Stephen speaking at St Thomas'. Photo by Faith Blanch