The information below may be of use to you if anyone you know seems interested in donating. (I wrote it for someone after a phone call this evening, )
Pam

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Pyramid of Peace - A response to the turmoil in Kenya
Pyramid of Peace was initiated by Kenyans caught up in the post election turmoil.  Thanks to  communication technologies they were not isolated. They had phones, and they already had friends in other countries through the Internet - especially through Minciu Sodas (Lithuanian for "Orchard of Thoughts').  In the first days of turmoil, and in the days since, Minciu Sodas has been collecting information, sending financial help, and thinking creatively about how to diffuse violence and provide positive ways forward. Gradually the work has taken a shape which we call the 'Pyramid of Peace'

Practical individual action
Minciu Sodas activists in Kenya are using money and phone credits that we send to do whatever is needed such as:

• Sharing their phones so that displaced people can contact loved ones
• Providing immediate aid where needed (they can barter telephone minutes for food, medicines, and transport etc)
• Giving up-to-date information to Red Cross etc about local needs
• Maintaining communication and collaboration across tribal barriers
• Giving support to known peacemakers and people who can exert a calming influence on those involved in violence.
• Working with displaced people - organising activities for children, providing up-to-date information and encouragement to help reduce confusion, conflict and despair.
• Contacting security services about needs for help
• Sharing ideas and examples of good practice with each other
• Providing accurate news to Minciu Sodas - so those of us outside Kenya can provide appropriate support.
  

The Pyramid of Peace
This Minciu Sodas bottom-up approach is becoming known the "Pyramid of Peace". The name was inspired by one of our activists, Kenneth Owino, who leads a troupe of acrobats in one of the Nairobi slums. He reported, early on, how the acrobats defied those who were trying to cause separation between the tribes. Despite coming from "opposing tribes" they remained together - going out with fellow entertainers - drummers and singers. They were tumbling, drumming and singing for peace - working collaboratively in their usual way - and that included acrobats supporting each other in a human pyramid - a pyramid of  peace. To see Kenneth and the nafsi africa acrobats in action (last year) click here. The Minciu Sodas Pyramid of Peace is supporting activists now, to deal with immediate needs, and is also bringing together individual initiatives within a longer term strategy. Donations can be made by Paypal, or gift-aided, or made direct to activists' phones.

Donations by Paypal
Donations can be sent by PayPal to Andrius Kulikauskas at his email address which is ms@... (lt for Lithuania). Andrius is director of Minciu Sodas .  He has the most up-to-date information of what is happening on the ground. If you have any particular wishes for how the money should be spent he will follow them, otherwise he will pass it on according to current priorities.

To gift-aid your donation
If you are in the UK and want to gift-aid your donation it can be sent via CAWD  The disadvantage of giving via CAWD is that it is a bit slower, but the benefit is that you increase the value of your gift. When the organisation which handles online donations has a total of £100, then it adds the £28 potential tax rebate (minus a small handling fee) and passes the increased gift on to CAWD, which passes it all on to Andrius by Paypal. To target your gift in a any particular way please complete the 'personal message' box.

Direct donations
Donations can be sent directly to our Pyramid of Peace grassroots activists as phone credits. You can find their phone numbers, more details of their work, and information on how to send phone credits at Minciu Sodas