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Devastation has struck the coast of Kenya as excessive water has
flooded the eastern coast town of Gymbia. The small coastal town is
surrounded by dry African trees that shade the small mud-brick
homes which litter the village. The well that sits in the town centre
used to be drained dry of even the smallest drops of moisture, but is
now overflowing with water. Children that were once playing simple
games as their parents worked, have now been left without hope as
gaining income is becoming near impossible as work is no longer
available. Stray cats and dogs that once ran wild, caught up in the
cheerful laughter coming from joyous children, have now been
abandoned as everyone leaves for higher ground. With animals dying
and crops underwater from the extravagant abundance of rain, it
seems that there is little hope for the small town of Gymbia. The
once-thriving town is now under great stress as village residents are
suffering from devastation as their homes are flooded and farmland
drowned. Fatalities have cursed the east coast as the persistent
moisture is bringing unwanted diseases among the already weak
townspeople. The lingering rain continues to damage property, and
the lasting dampness has already caused fatal infections affecting
most of Gymbia’s population.
The townspeople built their village below the mountains to
capture the precipitation in the dry climate, but have now realised
their mistake. The village is beginning to drown from the rain that
was once much needed, and with ocean levels continuing to rise due
to climate change, help is in high demand for this poverty-stricken
village. Distressed residents have sent out cries of help to
neighbouring countries, hoping for the best, but sadly it’s only going
down-hill from here.
Call
1300-874
or text ‘
HELP
’ to
946-738
.
I turned the
TV
off.
I couldn’t help but notice my surroundings. I was sitting on my
white leather couch, phone in hand, the
TV
blaring and my dog
sleeping peacefully at my feet. This didn’t seem fair. I have so much;
a beautiful house, a well-paid job and a sense of security, yet they
have so little.
It was when my girlfriend spoke that I decided I wanted to help.
‘God dammit, they’re always asking for our bloody money. I mean,
why should we have to give away our hard-earned dollars to ‘help the
needy’. It’s all just ridiculous.’
Change
Elise Allibon
Isobelle Carmody Award
for Creative Writing
Honourable Mention
10