The Friends United Meeting office in Kisumu, Kenya, is situated in a hub for the Centers for Disease Control, as well as for many non-govermental organizations (NGOs) relief, and economic development agencies that are doing tremendous work throughout Africa. The recent executive order to suspend U.S. foreign aid has a direct impact in Kisumu and the world, including programs under the care of Friends United Meeting.
For years, FUM has collaborated with USAID staff to oversee grants through the ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) Program. Both the Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital and Ramallah Friends School have benefited from this program. Currently, FUM has received a $1.4 million grant to construct an assembly hall on the lower campus of Ramallah Friends School. Construction was underway when, on 28 January 2025, we were notified that our grant is suspended for 90 days pending review. We have been working to comply with the terms of the suspension, which required us to put an immediate stop to all work, release our contractors and workers, and file compliance reports. Communication received from the U.S. government notified us that our grant may possibly be restored, reduced, or permanently suspended. Currently, FUM is liable for the work completed on the project, and to date we owe our contractors $332,000.
Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital is another program deeply impacted by this suspension of American foreign aid. The hospital is supported by Catholic Charities and CHAK (Christian Health Association of Kenya). Both agencies receive funding from U.S. foreign aid programs. Our Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC), supported by Catholic Charities through U.S. foreign aid, employs twenty-three dedicated staff members who provide life-saving medical services and counseling to patients diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis. The clinic also runs essential programs to mitigate malaria in the region. The enforcement of the executive order required us to cease all clinic activities and dismiss our clinic staff. FUM is concerned that this action will result in the preventable deaths of the very patients we are called to serve.
Currently, Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital is trying to absorb some of the operational costs that Catholic Charities and CHAK usually underwrite—about $12,000 per month. In light of these challenges, FUM remains committed to exploring alternative solutions to continue serving its communities.
Please consider Ramallah Friends School and Friends Lugulu Mission Hospital in your prayers and with your financial support. Online donations are received for both ministries at https://www.friendsunitedmeeting.org/giving/donate.
—Kelly Kellum
General Secretary
Recently, FUM General Secretary Kelly Kellum wrote to the U.S. President to express his concern over how the halt in U.S. foreign aid is affecting our Quaker brothers and sisters in other countries. You can find his letter here.
