Dodger Helps Orphan Kids

It's been a long while since our last post. We'll be back with more regular updates soon. Meanwhile you might want to check out this story about orphan kids and a professional baseball player from the United States. It's a good news story that's sure to touch your heart...

Drought Continues for Sixth Year in Horn of Africa

Rainfall across the Horn of Africa has fallen short of expectations once again. The October/November rains in the region were projected to be heavier than usual due to El Niño effects, and millions of farmers and pastoralists had pinned their hopes on the weather experts being right.

Hope of improved food security was high with the rains beginning as promised in October, but there was a lengthy dry spell in November that continued into the first part of December. In their latest report, Oxfam GB said “Large parts of Turkana (northern Kenya), Somalia, and Ethiopia have received less than five percent of normal rainfall in November.” According to the report, Turkana has received just 12 mm of rainfall in the last three months.

This is the sixth successive season of poor rains in the region, which is experiencing its worst drought in 20 years. The next rains are now projected for April at the earliest. As a result, the USAID Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS-Net) predicts “food insecurity is likely to deteriorate substantially in the coming months, compounded by human and livestock disease upsurges, conflict, and higher food prices.”

After visiting affected areas, Mr. Jeremy Loveless, Oxfam GB Deputy Humanitarian Director, said “Millions of people in these areas are of particular concern as they face at least another six months of hunger and destitution.”

Tiff Harris

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya

Special Needs Kids in Africa

African children contend with problems unknown to kids growing up in the developed world. Hunger, lack of clean drinking water, limited access to quality education, and poor healthcare are the norm. For African children with special needs, however these problems are greatly intensified. Eight-year-old John Mugisha Prudence is one such child. To support himself and contribute to his family and his community, John needs special schooling. To help, African Children’s Haven and the Wembly Fund have awarded John a scholarship that will allow him to receive a quality education. Learn how you can help.

Where the Water Meets the Sky

"Where the Water Meets the Sky" is the remarkable story of a young African woman orphaned by AIDS. Her self-made documentary, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, depicts her struggle to provide for herself and her siblings. What began as a filmmaking workshop is transformed into a story of how African women are demonstrating with courage and humor that the future rests in their hands. http://www.watermeetssky.com/

World AIDS Day

According to the United Nations, AIDS infections in Africa were 25% lower last year than in the peak year of 1995. However, Africa still accounts for two-thirds of all HIV infections worldwide, 68% of new infections among adults and a staggering 91% of new infections among children. See the report.

Happy Home

A video shot earlier this year at the Happy Home Orphanage in Western Kenya provides an insider’s look at the lives of some 30 orphans supported by African Childrens Haven. Produced by McGill University students Will Miller andAlex Pritz, the new film is available on-line at http://www.vimeo.com/5327856

UNICEF: Hunger Affects 200 Million Children

A new UNICEF reports says that hunger is stunting the development of 200 million children under age of five in Africa and Asia. But the UN agency also says that eliminating or at least reducing malnutrition is feasible. Read more http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_51688.html