The death and destruction occurring in Kenya lately is mind-boggling. It is reminiscent of Rwanda in the mid-90's, Liberia and the Ivory Coast a few years ago or Congo for the past several years.

An allegedly fraudulent election in late December sparked warfare amongst tribal faction on a scale that is unimaginable. What was one of Africa's strongest, most peaceful and prosperous nations has now deteriorated into a scene from hell. Incredible stories are coming out of the region...about a world-class marathoner killed by taking an arrow in the chest.

People having their arms hacked off with machetes. A whole church full of refugees being torched.

I started working a year ago with a group of Kenyans who have settled in Colorado. This group called Transafrika Cultural Institutes is dedicated to an exchange of cultures between Africa and the US and, perhaps even more importantly, supporting orphanages and schools in Kenya.

These orphanages are home to children made orphans typically by HIV-AIDS, Warfare or Environmental disaster. I am proud to be working with these Kenyans who want to give back to their country.

We were preparing this month to ship a container load full of computers to start a few computer training facilities, books and school supplies to support the educational efforts and medical supplies to improve the health of these children.

My wife, Ana and I had arranged to travel to Kenya in May 2008 to help distribute these goods and set up the computer labs. However, we have put that project on hold.

The obvious travel difficulties aside, clearly the need is not so much for computers and books right now as it is for medical supplies and food. Unfortunately, one of the orphanages Transafrika supports was recently burned to the ground.

We are not certain yet where all of the children are, or in fact if they are all safe because they scattered and communication within towns is difficult ... communication to the outside world even more sporadic and confused. Traditional shipping methods have come to a standstill. Food is scarce.

Transafrika is now shipping freeze-dried food, vitamins and medical supplies. It is an expensive proposition since we need to ship them by airfreight in order to get the products there quickly.

This is literally a question of providing basic nourishment to people who are starving. Lives are literally at stake at this moment. Transafrika needs your help.

To learn about how you can donate, please go to www.transafrikacultural.org