Bereavement
Financial and practical help when a member or registered family member passes away, including funeral costs in Australia or repatriation to Kenya, meals, transport and liaising with family at home.
How we support our community
Practical help in hard times, and a community to belong to the rest of the time. Here is what KENEWA does, and how to ask for help.
Welfare Support
Practical information, guidance, referrals, and compassionate support for community members and families experiencing difficult times.
Welfare support is at the heart of KENEWA. When new members join, $170 of their $200 joining fee goes into the KENEWA welfare fund, and so does the whole $170 annual renewal fee. This is the modern form of the Kenyan tradition of harambee: pulling together so that no family carries a crisis alone.
Welfare fund support is for welfare (financial) members and their registered family, decided fairly by the committee under the Welfare Fund Policy (PDF). Anyone can ask us for information, guidance and referrals.
Serious illness or injury
Visits, meals, transport and, where approved, financial assistance during hospitalisation or long recovery.
Sudden hardship
Help after emergencies such as fire, flood, family violence or job loss, for example paying an urgent bill on your behalf, plus links to local services.
New arrivals
Practical help for newly arrived Kenyan families: a welcome pack, help setting up essential services, short-term food or household items, and introductions to settlement services.
How to ask for help
Family or friends can ask on a member's behalf. Everything is kept confidential.
For immediate danger or emergency assistance, call 000. For KENEWA enquiries, contact the association directly.
Contact a committee member
Call or WhatsApp 0475 140 471, email info@kenewa.org, or send a request through the Get Support page. Members can also ask from the members area.
We listen and check details
A committee member confirms membership and what support is needed. We may ask for a document such as a funeral quote or hospital letter, but in an emergency we can help first and collect it later.
The committee decides
We aim to decide within 48 hours for a bereavement or emergency, and within 7 days for other requests. We tell you the decision in writing and, if support is reduced or declined, why.
Support is given
Where possible we pay the funeral director, landlord or other provider directly. If needed, members may also be asked to give to a community collection (harambee).
How much support?
These are the most the welfare fund can give for each event. The committee decides the amount based on need and what the fund can afford, so meeting the rules does not guarantee the full amount. The fund tops up other help, such as insurance, Centrelink or a funeral fund, and we'll help you apply for those too.
| Situation | Up to |
|---|---|
| Bereavement: death in Australia Funeral, burial or cremation costs | $3,000 |
| Bereavement: repatriation to Kenya Plus a community collection if needed | $5,000 |
| Illness or hospitalisation Evidence of need required | $1,000 |
| Sudden hardship One-off, per household per 12 months | $500 |
| New arrival settlement Per family, first 6 months only | $300 |
| Emergency help for non-members At the committee's discretion, per person per year | $300 |
The welfare fund keeps a reserve of at least $3,000 so it is always ready for the next family. A bereavement payment is never held up: we pay what we can straight away and top up the rest. Payments of $100 or more are made by bank transfer and approved by two people who are not related to the family. Full rules: Welfare Fund Policy (PDF, includes the application form).
If someone has died, we will walk with your family.
When a member or a registered family member dies, contact us straight away, day or night. You don't need to fill in a form first, and family and friends can contact us on the family's behalf.
One person to talk to
A committee member becomes your family's contact, so you only need to speak to one person. Your family decides: burial or cremation here, or repatriation to Kenya.
Help with the arrangements
We help find a funeral director and, for repatriation, gather the paperwork: the death certificate, the funeral director's certificates and the Kenya High Commission's letter. If the death was sudden, the Coroner may need to be involved first, and we'll explain what that means.
Money, quickly
We check whether any insurance will pay, then the welfare fund helps within its limits. For a bereavement the committee aims to decide within 48 hours and, where possible, pays the funeral director or airline directly.
The community stands with you
With your family's agreement we tell members, organise prayers and meals, and help with airport pick-ups and practical tasks. We check in again in the weeks after.
Community Connection
Creating opportunities for Kenyans to connect, support one another, and build strong relationships across the New England region.
- A friendly welcome for newcomers, and introductions to members near you
- The members' WhatsApp group, a monthly newsletter and our Facebook page
- Celebrating weddings, new babies, graduations and other happy moments together
- Job leads, CV help and contacts across health, agriculture, education, trades and business
- Trusted information on settling in: see our community resources
Cultural Preservation
Celebrating Kenyan heritage, traditions, stories, food, music, and values while strengthening belonging in regional NSW.
- Kenya's national days together: Madaraka, Mashujaa and Jamhuri
- Stalls and performances at Tamworth's Fiesta La Peel and Harmony Week
- Family days where children learn our languages, food and music
Empowerment and Collaboration
Working with volunteers, families, community organisations, and local partners to create positive opportunities and mutual support.
Our seven portfolios
Like a village council, our work is shared: each portfolio is led by a volunteer committee member, and every member is welcome to help.
Welfare
The committee, with the welfare fund managed by Treasurer Hillary Bett
- Support for members in bereavement, including funeral and repatriation costs
- Visits, meals and transport during illness or hospital stays
- Help after sudden hardship, and links to local services
Women's empowerment
Janet Bett, Women's Empowerment Officer
- A welcoming network for women across the region
- Savings and investment circles in the chama tradition
- Mentoring, wellbeing and leadership opportunities
Students and youth
Ruth Tanui, Student Representative
- Orientation and a friendly face for international students
- Mentoring and role models for young Kenyan-Australians
- A voice for young people on the committee
Sport and wellbeing
Sheldon Kipkemboi, Sport Coordinator
- Sports days and friendly matches for all ages and abilities
- Walking, running and fitness groups
- Mental health and wellbeing sessions
Culture and events
Geoffrey Seurei, Organising Secretary
- Kenya's national days: Madaraka, Mashujaa and Jamhuri
- Stalls and performances at Tamworth's Fiesta La Peel and Harmony Week
- Keeping our languages, food and music alive for our children
Communications and IT
Evans Yego, IT and Communications Officer
- This website and the members area
- Our Facebook page and the members' WhatsApp group
- Member notices and newsletters
Partnerships and grants
Edwin Ng’etich, Chairperson
- Working with councils, services and multicultural organisations
- Applying for community grants to grow our programs, with partners across New England
- Referral partnerships with settlement services, councils, UNE and TAFE
Mentors and coaches of children's activities hold a verified NSW Working With Children Check. See child safety at KENEWA.
Welfare support questions
Still unsure? Ask us. We'll explain how it works for your situation.
Who can receive welfare support?
Welfare (financial) members and life members whose membership is current, together with the family members they have registered in the members area: up to 1 spouse, 7 dependants and 7 siblings, plus their parents. If you were raised by a guardian, or have step-parents, you nominate one person for each parent place, and the committee checks the nomination. KENEWA can also give limited emergency help to people who are not members, at the committee's discretion.
Is there a waiting period for new members?
Yes. Your membership needs to have been current for 3 months before welfare support applies. There is no waiting period for a bereavement or a life-threatening emergency: the committee can help straight away.
Will my situation be kept private?
Yes. Only the committee members handling your request will know the details, unless you agree to share them with members. Reports to members describe welfare payments only in general terms, without names.
What if I disagree with a decision?
You can ask in writing for a review within 14 days. We confirm we have it within 48 hours and hold the review within 7 days. Committee members who were not part of the first decision review it, anyone related to you stays out, and you can come and speak. You get the decision in writing within 3 days of the review.
Should I still have my own insurance?
Yes, if you can. The welfare fund tops up other help but has limits, and repatriation to Kenya can cost more than the fund can give. Check whether your visa health cover, travel, life or funeral insurance pays for repatriation, and tell your family where your policy details are kept.
Do I have to pay it back?
No. Support is normally a gift, not a loan. In some cases the committee may offer an interest-free repayment arrangement instead.