Tag: Nairobi

Westgate Mall Images

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westgate-mall-children-3Images are powerful things.

A single image can evoke strong emotions.

They remind us of times – both happy and sad.

These are the images from the Westgate Mall siege that have really stayed with me – a mother protecting her baby from harm – the fear in her face all to palpable; a young girl running towards the safety of a police officer – alone and vulnerable; and a mother on the floor with her children – are they too scared to move – or are they dead?

So when I watched this clip (Nairobi Attack – Family rescued from Kenya Mall) I could not help but shed a tear.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-24239823

The bravery of the policeman, the terrified expression of the little girl, the innocence of the baby and the people from the floor above urging the woman – paralysed with fear – to get up “Amka Mama” – “Get up Mama”.  All emotions welling up at the same time – fear for the children, pride in the policeman, gratitude and happiness that the family were safe, anger at those who had caused this atrocity….

And, as I read this in The Telegraph – I feel HOPE…
“The details and the pictures that will emerge from Nairobi in the next few days will be harrowing, but do not judge by appearances. Kenya’s story is one of resilience, not fragility: it has recovered from al-Qaeda’s ravages in the past and will do so again!”

Westgate Mall Attack

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Light a candle for Kenya. Pray for peace.

For the last 2 days my time and thoughts have been consumed by what has happened in Kenya. I have been glued to the TV and surfing the internet to find out what I can about the attack at Westgate Mall.

Although I am not in Nairobi – and am safely tucked away in a Surrey village – I feel like the attack has happened on my doorstep. Family and friends have all been affected – so many directly. People I know have died or been injured. Sitting here in my home I feel helpless. I cannot help physically by being there to give emotional support to my sister and the rest of the family and my friends or to give much needed blood at the hospitals.

And, as the siege continues for a third day, my heart goes out to those people who have lost their loved ones – or are still waiting for news – as there are still hostages being held in the mall.

This senseless violence, this tragic loss of life, this unnecessary trauma – I cannot understand it. Why?

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My school friend Henna (on the left) helps an injured woman

Jeremy and I are due to visit Nairobi in November – and regardless of what the British government advices – we are going. And, I would urge others not to abandon Kenya at this time. Tourism is a huge necessity to the economy of the country. Many people’s livelihood depends on tourists visiting the country. Don’t let this awful attack deter you. If you do, then the terrorists will just claim another victory – and this we must not allow!

Back-pedalling??

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When my sister – a true out and out Kenyan read my first blog in this series – she was incensed! Being very protective about Kenya, she questioned how I, a visitor, could write such negative comments about Nairobi– and she was upset at the thought of me putting these comments into the public domain. So, this really got me More →