Hope Behind the Floods
When Lake Victoria burst its banks in March 2024, the Orongo community in Kisumu faced devastation—homes destroyed, livelihoods swept away, and families left searching for hope. This is a story of resilience, compassion, and how a community came together to rebuild.
Published on Afrovo Studios’ YouTube channel.
Florence’s open door
The 2024 floods in Kenya were among the worst in recent memory, displacing nearly 300,000 people and leaving countless families homeless and hungry. In Orongo, Kisumu, the waters destroyed homes and swept away livelihoods, but they could not wash away the community’s spirit.
At the heart of this story is Florence Otieno Ogundo, founder of the Orongo Widows and Orphans Group. When the floods hit, Florence opened her small home to families who had nowhere else to go. Despite her own losses, she welcomed those in need, giving them shelter and a sense of belonging.
Florence also saw opportunity in adversity. She taught her guests how to craft items from the invasive hyacinth leaves left behind by the floods—transforming destruction into new skills and hope for a fresh start.
Support from Give A Hand arrived at a critical moment, delivering donations and raising awareness for families who had lost everything. As Florence shares in her own words, the damage was immense, but the kindness and solidarity of her community and supporters made it possible to begin again.
This project is a testament to the strength of women, the power of community, and the impact that timely support can have in the face of disaster.
