In the remote Samburu village of Sesia, daily life is marked by long walks for water, the scarcity of food and the struggle to provide for children. Recently, Mission Aviation Fellowship staff partnered with Eddy and Amanda Simmons to deliver food and clothing to Sesia families most in need.
Story by Hillim Gitonga
“Life here is harsh,” said Malikoi Leparmorujo, a Samburu mother who must work hard to care for her six children.
For Malikoi, water is far away, and often dirty. Drought presses the community harder each year.
She tends a few animals, fetches water and firewood, and makes sure her five sons and one daughter attend school while helping with house chores.
We mostly eat ugali (a dense porridge-like staple made from maize) or beans with maize. It is not easy, but today I am thankful because MAF staff brought us food. I have heard about them for a while now since they bring missionaries to our community to spread the Word of God. Thank you for coming and helping us.
MAF in Kenya regularly flies missionaries and supplies to this location. But this month, MAF staff boarded the plane and returned to Sesia with a small gift for Samburu families who are most in need.
“It’s really nice to now see what impact you have,” said pilot Ruth de Wit. “To not only bring the people that give impact here, but now see what that impact does and how happy the people are about it.”
Working with missionaries Eddy and Amanda Simmons, the MAF team gathered and distributed food to 11 families, 44 people in total. Each family received a package that included maize flour, rice, beans, green grams (mung beans), sugar, salt and cooking oil—enough supplies to last a month.
This was the second initiative of its kind, following the first distribution in Loglogo, Marsabit County.
“It’s nice to see what kind of impact you can have, even with little things,” said Ruth, reflecting on the experience.
As MAF in Kenya, we want to bless communities and show God’s love. Seeing the joy on peoples faces when they receive food, and even choosing clothes for their children—it makes me happy.
For Eddy and Amanda, who have lived among the Samburu for seven years, MAF’s partnership is important. Amanda runs a medical clinic that sees around 100 patients each week, while Eddy shares the gospel with families.
“We are grateful for MAF,” he said. “If we didn’t have the planes and airstrip, we would have been off the field years ago.
“I’ve had 13 surgeries to repair damage just from driving or the environment in Kenya. But thanks to the flights, we can keep serving here,” said Eddy.
Over time, Eddy has witnessed the gospel transform lives in Sesia.
“We’ve seen changes in families. How husbands relate to their wives, how they relate to their children,” he added. The community has also improved in hygiene and nutrition.
The gospel has changed them and the way they relate to one other.
“One of the most heartwarming moments for me was seeing the ladies leave the airstrip with big, beautiful smiles on their faces,” said Carol Wangari, one of the MAF team.
“After weeks of planning and prayer, witnessing that joy reminded me why we do what we do."
This initiative wasn’t just about giving; it was about showing love. My hope is that this small gesture planted seeds of hope in their hearts and reminded them that even in the most difficult seasons, Christ’s love is present and powerful.
For Malikoi, the food package means her children will have enough to eat this month.
For MAF and the Simmons family, it’s another small step in a long journey of bringing help, hope and healing to one of Kenya’s most unreached communities.