PEORIA, Ill. – A central Illinois couple is preparing for a big move for a worthwhile cause.
Terry and Veronicah Richards and their six-year-old daughter will soon make their home in Kenya. The reason is to help build the Imani Rescue Center, which will focus on supporting women and children victims of domestic violence in the country.
Veronicah, who is a native of Kenya, tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan” that statistics show a high amount of domestic violence in her homeland.
“40% of women have gone through domestic violence, sexual assault, and in many cases going unreported due to limited resources. So we want to build the shelter that’s going to be the actual first shelter in a community of over 10,000 people. It’s really important for us to do this,” Veronicah Richards said.
Veronicah Richards says part of the problem is that it’s ingrained in the culture that men in Kenya do not value women as much as they should. She says the center will also teach women skills to help them gain independence easier.
Terry Richards says the move is happening pretty soon because groundbreaking is coming up fast.
“We are probably looking at in to breaking ground, either at the very end of this year or starting at the very beginning 2024. And depending on supplies, and everything else, and permits lining up, we just want to hit the ground running and get it going as fast as possible,” Terry Richards said.
Veronicah and Terry say they are still looking for donations to help support the center. You can support the cause at the link here.
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