"Yesterday we ate, but today we don't have food," says Virginia Nzyoka, a mother of five who also cares for four orphaned relatives in central Kenya.
Woman with vouchers

The $40 worth of emergency food vouchers help this elderly woman to survive difficult times brought on by drought.

Virginia is far from alone. For thousands of Kenyans, extended drought has left them with little or nothing to eat. The global financial crisis is compounding the problem. Available work is scarce, and any money earned must stretch even further to purchase today's expensive food items.

Last year, a 40-pound bag of corn cost around $25, Virginia explains. Now a bag costs about $40. Unfortunately, recent drops in food and gas prices worldwide have yet to reach most poor, rural communities.
Failed Crops, Empty Food Bags

At the beginning of the October 2008 planting season, Virginia and her husband managed to find enough seeds to plant four acres of corn, cowpeas, green grams, pigeon peas, millet and sorghum. But a third consecutive season of devastating drought killed off the majority of the crops. Only 1.5 acres of corn and cowpeas sprouted, and the initial corn shoots are already withering.

Over time, these crop failures have left Virginia's family with minimal food stores. In August, she earned $20 selling five large bags of charcoal, made by scouring the region for wood to burn. With this money, combined with $20 her husband earned working part-time as a cook at the local school, they bought a 40-pound bag of corn. But after a few months, her family ate the last kernels.
Mary Mutinda

Although food is available, many Kenyans simply can't afford to buy any. CRS vouchers let the neediest families, including Mary Mutinda's, buy two to three weeks worth of supplies.

Fortunately, thanks to private donations, Catholic Relief Services has been able to provide $40 worth of emergency food vouchers to 3,000 of the neediest families in central and eastern Kenya. Working closely with local diocesan partners to identify vulnerable households—including families headed by women, orphans, elderly citizens and people with disabilities—CRS is helping families to survive these difficult times. Of particular concern are desperately poor households already resorting to extreme coping strategies such as skipping meals, selling essential livestock or household items, or eating wild fruits to survive.
An Emergency Cushion

"I have nothing to cook," states Mary Mutinda, a 45-year-old mother of eight children. "Yesterday I borrowed four kilograms [about 9 pounds] of corn from a shop. I milled and cooked two kilograms last night and served the last two kilograms for breakfast this morning."

Mary's crops have also suffered from the drought. In fact, they have grown so poorly over the past year that her family has had to eat immature cowpea pods to survive.

"I will buy corn so I can stretch the [food] as long as possible," Mary says, expecting the vouchers to purchase enough to feed her household of 10 people for three weeks. "I'm trusting God that since I've come this far, he will provide even when that bag is finished. I didn't expect to survive this far."

Mary, Virginia and the other program participants trade the vouchers for food stocks of their choice at previously identified stores. Store owners will later exchange the vouchers for cash at their local diocesan offices.

Affected communities continue to pray for rain so crops can grow and families can replenish their food stocks. And if the rain doesn't come? CRS can continue to provide emergency relief to communities affected by the current food crisis only through continued support from our compassionate donors.

Kenya is one of more than 100 countries whose people you help when you partner with CRS in reaching the world's poorest. The global financial crisis has, of course, hurt everyone. It has made helping more difficult even as it increases the desperation of needy people. If you are at all inclined and able to help, know that what may seem an insignificant amount to you is nothing less than lifesaving