Well-wishers have donated food and clothes to 130 needy families and 240 orphans from two children’s centres in Ruiru, Kiambu county.
A volunteer group called December Charity, led by Solomon Irungu, donated enough food to last the families a month.
They also donated bedding, clothing and other niceties to the orphans in Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre and Joy Children Centre.
Speaking during the event held at St George's Primary School in Ruiru town, Irungu said they have been carrying out the drive for the last five years. He said the number of beneficiaries has been growing steadily.
“We started the group as friends born in December and decided to be celebrating our birthdays by holding charity events. We identified families that are in dire need of food aid as well as struggling Children’s centre," Irungu said.
"Today we have given them food to last them at least a month or so which will definitely make their Christmas bright.”
He said hard economic times and inflation in the country have stressed many families, especially low-income earners in the populous subcounty, and many have lost hope of celebrating Christmas.
“Most people were rendered jobless, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and they are yet to secure other sources of income yet they have families to care for," Irungu said.
"Many are still languishing in poverty and have no hope even during this festive season. We want to put a smile on their faces and give them hope.”
John Kimani, one of the pioneers of the charity event, said they are engaging other well-wishers and corporates in the constituency as they seek to expand the event’s scope and reach out to many families.
“This is a time of showing compassion and kindness to others and this is why we are inviting other like-minded individuals and corporates to join us in this noble course,” Kimani said.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the noble gesture, saying the donations will help alleviate some of the challenges they’ve been facing.
“We are grateful for this kind gesture. It will go a long way in addressing the difficulties we’ve been dealing with, including lack of basic necessities like food and clothing,” Alfred Girimoro, a volunteer working at Ruiru Rehabilitation Centre, said.
