Hi, we are Barry and Jude McGonigle. As you may know, we have worked for several years to establish a business in the area of the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. We started just prior to Covid, and have remained to build for the future.

The Amboseli Region of Kenya has been suffering through a severe drought, as the last significant rains in the region were in early 2019. The animals are dying in the park in great numbers, but the impact on our local Maasai communities is currently the most significant issue. The Maasai can’t grow crops, find water or feed their livestock. The market for selling livestock has crashed – cows once valued at approximately $500 are now lucky to sell for $50 and sometimes as low as $5. Goats are fortunate to sell for $5. The people are starving and have exhausted savings trying to save their livestock.

It is a severe crisis. We have purchased hay to distribute to our local communities of approximately 800 families. Since we arrived, we have

provided drinking water to the local communities, but so much more is now needed. We must offer more hay, cooking oil, maize flour, beans, and other supplies. We can’t do this alone and are reaching out to you for support.

We assure you that 100% of all donations will go directly to helping our local Maasai communities with the purchase and distribution of hay and food. Every donation, large or small, will help feed our local communities of Maasai men, women and children and help feed their livestock until the rains come. November is ‘light rain season,’ and the area has recently been blessed with a few showers – but much more rain is needed, and the next heavy rain season (if it arrives) is not until April/May.

For interest, a small bale of hay is about $5.75, while 1kg of flour is $1.15, 1kg of beans (protein) is $2.15, and 20L of cooking oil is $55.00.

Please help in whatever way you can – our local communities, and we certainly appreciate your support and prayers.

Asante Sana (Thank you very much),

Barry & Jude

See the beginning of our efforts below and some of the local devastation. Warning: graphic content

The first load of hay arriving at Kilimanjaro Balloon Safaris.

The staff unloading the hay.

The hay is ready for distribution.

Many families have lost most of their livestock.

Unfortunate image from the park where many animals have succumbed to starvation.

News story on local devastation.