As we all travelled back to the city after indulging in the festivities, we heard of the devastating news about the collapsed building in Huruma estate, Nairobi. The news came in a few weeks after another similar incident had happened in Makongeni area. The rescue missions were very tactical, and from the media, we all got convinced that the 4-day operation was a success. The other side of the tragedy that was never answered by the media, was the whereabouts of the victims. Who hosted them after they were left homeless by the tragic collapse of their “Nairobi home?”

 

The many unanswered questions, triggered our minds to visit the scene on Saturday 10^th January. The Community Service Centre (CSC) activity began at 1pm with members helping to load the bus with the donations, as we set off for Huruma. We realized that the victims were being hosted at a nearby primary school called Daima Primary School. Well, call it a blessing in disguise, were it not for the teachers’ strike that rendered the school unoccupied, where would the victims have been hosted?

 

Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the headteacher of Daima Primary School. A look at the rubble surprised us, as there was a group of young men picking scrap metal, which we were later informed that they would sell for a little income. The headteacher brought together the victims of the fateful incident, to give us firsthand information of their encounter on that dreadful evening. One by one they narrated their hurtful stories to us. Also in the crowd was a family that were not affected by the collapsed building, but rather relatives to an expectant mother of four, who perished in the accident. They had come to comfort the remaining children of their sister who was now deceased.

 

The now emotional CSC members shared a word of encouragement with the victims, sensitizing on the fact that they care, and that the victims should not feel abandoned. The truth of the matter is, after the rescue mission was over, the victims felt abandoned, since they now depended on well-wishers to get food and clothing among other necessities.  After the encouraging talk, the team distributed donations in form of rice, maize flour, cooking fat as well as toiletries. The victims were grateful as was seen on their smiles as we came to the end of our visit.

 

Story by Maureen Tele,PR,CSC