RICHMOND, VA -- Life goes on, even in a crowded camp for Kenyans fleeing the ethnic violence that has gripped their nation.

Mothers wash clothes and prepare food -- if they have any food to prepare. Children play. Parents watch over their families. Young men sit around, talking and passing the time. But life is anything but normal for the more than 250,000 people driven from their homes in Kenya since Dec. 27, the day a disputed presidential election brought submerged ethnic hatreds roaring back to the surface. Hundreds have died in political and tribal clashes in the weeks since.

Many Kenyans hope and pray the rage will die down before it gets worse. Some are putting feet to their prayers -- such as three Baptist women from different tribes who united to deliver food to one of the displaced persons camps. It wasn't much, but they gave it with all their hearts.

"We saw a lot of people being displaced by the skirmishes," said Carolyn Charono, one of the visiting women. "So we made up our minds and decided, 'OK, let's get whatever little we have and come over here and see how we can help our brothers and sisters in our own little ways.' I know we can't solve all the problems they are facing, but at least we can help one or two, so that's what we've done. We've been hanging around and talking to some people, trying to get information about how they got to camp, how they've been surviving, what they're surviving on and such like. We've been able to give out a little cash here and some food that we carried."

The three women acknowledged their different tribal affiliations, but insisted they are Kenyan first. "Here in Kenya we are all one tribe, one people, one nation," declared Kristen Kimani.

That's an admirable ideal, proudly held by many Kenyans since they won independence from British colonial rule in 1963. Kenya has managed greater stability and ethnic harmony than many African nations since the end of the European colonial era. But dozens of ethnic and tribal groups make up Kenya's 32 million people. The Kikuyu people, favored by the British during colonial times, are the largest tribal group, comprising about a fifth of the national population. They have dominated the Kenyan political and economic scene since independence, accumulating land, top jobs and other perks -- often at the expense of other groups.

When incumbent President Mwai Kibaki, a Kikuyu, claimed re-election in the December contest with challenger Raila Odinga, a member of the Luo tribe who appeared headed for a major victory, ethnic attacks broke out in many areas. Both sides have been charged with inciting violence and manipulating tribal tensions before and after the election.