News : Kenyan Community Sends Kenyan Mother Home For Burial

Finally after almost a month and half in the funeral home, the remains of the Kenyan mother who died in Florida, USA are on the way to Kenya for final rest. Helen Osuka died in hospital while undergoing treatment for bacterial meningitis. Due to scarcity of Kenyans in the area where she died it took a long time to assemble the needs for her funeral expenses and transportation.

The body departed Miami International Airport via Swiss airline on 04/06/07 at 6:55 PM, arrived at Zurich 11:00 AM and will stay in Zurich for 24 hours according to Swiss laws and depart from there on Monday when the next flight is available to Kenya. The flight will depart Zurich at 9:45 AM and arrive Nairobi same day on Swiss air flight # 292 at 6:15 PM.

The funeral home was ready to cremate the remains, but due to intervention from the Kenyan Embassy it gave Kenyans time to coordinate and fundraise. The first fundraiser did not raise much due to bad weather on 03/17/07. It was held at Meshack Obonyo's residence who coordinated the whole event as the Chairman of Bondo District Association, USA along with Dr. Ayaga's family where $4,500 was raised. Special thanks was given to Patrick L Okeyo of Public Eye Group for exposing the urgency needed to raise money and helping to mobilize Kenyans, Charles Abungu who became "next of Kin", Dr. Odeyo Ayaga who kept the Kenya Embassy involved in the matter. Also, massive efforts were done by Dr. Sam Oyugi, Dr. George Omburo, Amos Atonga, Onyango Nyunja, Jobiese Jobiese, Onga'njo Orowe and Gordon Arum who even went door to door to get funds.

The eventual response was good which raised $8,000 and still some Kenyans are sending their pledges until this juncture. The money will be given to the seventeen year old daughter of the deceased who is staying with a Kenyan family while attending school in Florida. The family of David Osuka in Nairobi, Kenya and the organizing committee for the fund raising in USA, expressed their sincere gratitude to all co-workers of Daystar Nursing Facility, Daystar Christian Science Nursing Facility, Kenyans especially those in Canada and USA for their great effort and everybody at large for financial contribution, spiritual comfort and emotional support towards the bereaved family.

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Public Eye Group
04/09/07