Kenyans Give The Gift of Life
    
Kenyans wait among other blood donors for their turn to donate blood to the American Red Cross during the 2008 Martin Luther King Day

AjabuAfrica.com
Boston, MA
02/01/20087

A group of Kenyans joined people from different racial backgrounds in a huge turn out to donate blood at the St. Katharine Drexel Church, Blue Hill Ave, Dorchester MA on Monday January 21 .The exercise was part of the American Red Cross Blood Drive honoring Martin Luther King, the great American Civil rights leader who was felled by an assassin’s bullet more than 40 years ago
    
Before arriving at the venue at 2.00 PM, the Kenyans friends and families had congregated earlier in the day for ‘all you can eat’ buffet, whether one was donating or not, at a Chinese Restaurant in Walpole MA. The sumptuous lunch served as a way to socialize, encourage each other and also to make sure one was well fed before giving the precious life saving fluid.

 As he sat patiently in line waiting for his turn to give blood, Mr. Ben Mbugua , the man responsible for organizing the Kenyans for this exercise said that they have attended the event for the last seven years. “We have been coming here annually and donated blood for the last seven years, and we will continue to do so without ceasing “, Mbugua , AKA ‘Uncle Ben’ said.

It was an encouraging spectacle to watch people from different backgrounds present mingle and chat freely with the Kenyans as they waited for their turn.
“We thank you Kenyans for coming to support us year after year, said one of the event organizers to the Kenyans present”. We hope that you continue to encourage others to do the same.

  The Kenyans said that it was particularly very important that they donate blood this year as too much blood has been and is still being wasted as a result of the violence that erupted due to the disputed presidential elections in Kenya. “Too much blood is being spilled in Kenya right now, therefore it is important for me to donate blood that could save someone’s life” Said Mr Kariuki Waihiga of Attleboro MA. ”It is always good to donate blood because you never know when you might need it “, added Job Mwangi also from Attleboro MA, who last year donated blood twice.

Another   Kenyan present said that Kenyan’s Children in American schools are facing embarrassing questions from their colleagues as to whether they come from the killing tribe or the one getting killed. This is because children in schools are seeing the horrible stories and images about the Kenyan violence on the internet.”I could not believe when my daughter told me of these uncomfortable questions she is facing in school. No ones blood deserves to be spilled, that’s why I am here today to give blood”, lamented Professor Benjamin Ngugi of Attleboro MA.
 The group asked other Africans to join them next year for the blood drive.” It’s fun to give blood, more Kenyans should come too”, said Ms. Wanjiku  Mwaura, an enthusiastic blood donor.
More pictures below

Ben Mbugua plays with children as he waits for his turn

Children who accompanied their parents to the blood drive socializing

Ms Wanjiku and Mr Kariuki Waihga happily wait in line

Job Mwangi lies on the blood donation table giving the precious fluid

Professor Ngugi Benjamin arrives at blood donation center

A future blood donor gets tips from his older uncle

This strategically parked Van clearly states the mission at hand