A SUFFOLK social worker who has been working in Kenya has spoken of her dismay that a country which had been making so such progress has turned into a killing field.

A SUFFOLK social worker who has been working in Kenya has spoken of her dismay that a country which had been making so such progress has turned into a killing field.

Louise Brown, 30, from Stowmarket, has recently returned from a town in the Rift Valley area and had been working for a year at the volunteer missionary movement with an HIV/Aids project, the Live with Hope Centre, based at the top of a slum area just outside the town of Kericho.

Ms Brown, who was taking a career break from her position at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, undertook tasks that included working with the children's department, and developing a program for street youths.

She was living at a house for volunteers at the centre and said: “On December 27 Kenyan people voted proudly.

“It was known that the presidential election was going to be close and as results began to trickle in most people waited with bated breath for the final result.

“Unfortunately it took three days for the final result to be announced and many felt that the counting was being rigged. Post election violence then began.

“We witnessed many houses around us being burnt, gun shots and tear gas could be heard and hundreds of people came to our project and the Catholic church opposite for refuge.”

Ms Brown said that they quickly had 1,500 displaced people, little food and medicine, and a constant fear that there would be further attacks.

To date it is estimated that at least 650 people have been killed and at least 250,000 people displaced in Kenya.

The Live with Hope Centre is now working with those families burnt out of their homes, or too scared to return, and the 30-year-old social worker plans to return within the next few weeks.

N If anyone would like more information about the project, or to find out how to make a donation, they can e-mail Ms Brown at danbrn2@yahoo.com