It seemed, at least for a time, that Kenya might escape the violent and disastrous fate that has plagued its neighboring countries. But frighteningly, this once tranquil African nation is now on the brink of utter disaster.

One billion people in the world live in impoverished nations without safe drinking water. The markets in their slums sell sour milk, tainted chicken and spoiled meat. They are dying of starvation. They wear worn-out shoes and ragged clothes, and travel extraordinary distances for food, water and employment. Only one percent of them ever go to college, and most can’t even sign their own names.