Karamajong

Today we went to visit a group of people called the Karamajong. It was alarming! I have never seen anything like it. Katie from Amazima started a feeding program for this area because it was so poverty-stricken. Every day, Monday through Friday, Amazima goes to this area and feeds the children: posh and beans. Posh is a cornmeal-based food that is filling but inexpensive. I have never seen such poverty, sadness, hopelessness, struggle, and battle for survival in my life. I can’t tell you how many instances of children caring for children that I saw. Where were the parents? I honestly don’t know. Were they working and leaving their small children alone during the day? Were they sick? Were they dead? I think it was some of all of these.

When you see a place like that, you wonder, “What can be done?” “Is there any way to elevate these people out of their poverty and hopelessness?”

God has already begun to work in the lives of many of us on this trip to discern how to help the Karamajong. How would He have his church serve these people. One very simple thing that can be done is to send some money to Katie at Amazima to buy plastic bowls for all of the children. The children were all apparently responsible for bringing their own bowls. Some of them had metal bowls, so when the hot food was placed in their bowls, the bowls got so hot that the children couldn’t even hold their bowls. They would often drop their bowls and their food. It’s a simple little thing, but it would make such a big difference.

Also, 4-5 people on this trip have shown interest and are already praying about returning to these people and working with them for an extended period of time. They have talked about building a kitchen, building 2 shower houses (most of these children were so filthy, I’m not sure when they have had a bath). Their clothes were beyond description: old, filthy, torn, and sometimes you couldn’t even tell if they were boy or girl clothes. They need shoes (flip flops or crocs are a great choice as they are more flexible in sizing). Then there is talk of starting an agricultural program to help them begin to grow their own crops so they can become a self-sustaining community. They are also discussing a microfinance program to help the Karamajong begin small enterprises that can help them begin to earn a living. I’m excited about the possibilities here. They are so in need of help, and we (the church) are responsible to help them. Psalm 67:1-2 comes to mind: May the Lord be gracious to us and bless us so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. God has blessed us so that we might be a blessing to others. And as we bless and serve others, God is glorified. His great name is magnified among the nations. and make His face shine upon us, (why?)

Here are a few pictures of the Karamajong. They are a beautiful people, but the children seem sad, and uncared for, and hopeless.