From Ashes We Rise
August 7th 1998 is a day etched in Kenyan history.
What started out as a sunny Friday morning turned into a dark and horrific day when a bomb targeting the American Embassy went off at the corner of Moi and Haile Selassie avenues. On that day 218 people lost their lives, and many more retain the injuries they sustained to this day. However, on that same day ordinary Kenyans of all walks came together to provide rescue services, to volunteer as paramedics, to drive the injured to nearby hospitals, to donate blood, and to feed the security officer and Red Cross workers who were coordinating the rescue efforts throughout the night and the days that followed.
It was a dark day for Kenya, but a triumphant one for the Kenyan spirit.
On the site where Ufundi House tragically tumbled down now stands the August 7th Memorial Park. At its centre is a memorial wall carrying the 218 names of those who lost their lives on account of the infamous terrorist attack. It acts as a tribute to the victims and a reminder to the public on the importance of peace..
Meanwhile the outdoor park offers benches, canopied readings spots and meeting rooms which are used daily by students, chamas, workers from the area and ordinary citizens needing a moment to escape the hustle and noise that is the CBD. Accessible daily for as little as 50 shillings, the park is a testament that life continues because of human compassion. Ever wondered what keeps the August 7th Memorial Park going? What has enabled the park to maintain its serene ambience since it opened its doors to the public in 2001? The tranquil space is maintained by the August 7th Memorial Trust. The trust manages gate collections, conference charges, meeting room and event hosting charges, and donations from well-wishers that go towards the sustenance and maintenance of the park. The fifty bob fee goes a long way to providing Nairobians a beautiful green space in the city. More importantly, it maintains a home of important memories and lessons. A place to remember, reflect and support goodwill towards all men.
Learn more about the August 7th Memorial Park and Museum at https://www.facebook.com/August7thMemorialPark/