Kenyan Blog Galvanises Edinburgh Charity

Mission In Action In Kenya

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An Edinburgh based charity is launching an emergency fundraising campaign in response to the unfolding crisis in Kenya.

Mission in Action UK is the British branch of a Kenyan charity based in Nakuru, west Kenya, and is organising the MIA Kenya Crisis Fashion Show to be held at the Voodoo Rooms on 5 March.

Susi Conchar, a founding member of MIA UK, explained that the event is designed to generate awareness and that the funds raised will be used to help support displaced people seeking shelter in Nakuru.

She said: “Any money we raise will be used by MIA to buy blankets, food and clothes for the displaced population.”

The UK charity has previously organised an annual fashion show in Edinburgh to help found and raise funds for the Nakuru Baby Orphanage, and last year raised over £30, 000 to support Mission in Action’s work in the local community.

MIA UK’s links with Nakuru have gifted its members with an insight into how the violence in Kenya is affecting local communities. The town, situated north-west of Nairobi, has seen some of the worst of the violence.

On 25 January at least six people were killed in Nakuru as combatants armed with machetes and poison arrows looted and torched houses. Consequently, a 6pm to 7am curfew has been imposed on residents.

A regular blog is being written by local volunteers from within the town, reporting on the continuing political violence and their efforts to distribute Red Cross aid to those forced from their homes.

Ms Conchar said: “The daily blogs they are writing gives an amazing insight into what is happening in their area and Kenya at large. It was a terrible feeling not being able to do anything so I suggested doing a quick fundraiser.”

The event will feature a number of leading designers, as well as a raffle and a live performance by the band Dollskabeat.

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