At the beginning of the year, our teams watched with baited breath as the pandemic moved closer to Africa. We knew that if COVID-19 hit our vulnerable communities, the impact could be devastating. Yet, when Kenya and Tanzania started reporting their first cases in early March, our country leads and their teams sprung into action.

 

They quickly sourced a number of water stations, which they distributed with soap, buckets and hygiene education sessions to our communities. As the Kenyan government mandated harsh consequences for those not wearing face masks to leave the house, the Sew Women Can team started making masks and distributing them to vulnerable community members who couldn’t afford to buy them. And as schools closed, our teachers and interns started developing and distributing home education packs to keep children learning beyond the classroom.

 

Over the last 6 months, our team has been evolving their programs to suit this new world. We are proud to share our clear action plan for the next 6 months as we continue to educate and empower the communities we work with while we navigate COVID-19.

 

Child Wellbeing

 

Children in classes 7 and 8 will continue to receive learning packs every 2 weeks to support their learning during COVID-19 period.

 

Miti Mingi Village (MMV) Children who are at home due to COVID-19 pandemic will continue to receive support from our social workers through home visits and phone calls as well as providing food support. They will also monitor home study and offer psychosocial support.

 

One of the positive outcomes of this year is how well our Miti Mingi Village children have adapted to life back with their extended families.  Our social workers have been working closely with the children and their families to evaluate those children who, supported by So They Can on an ongoing basis, can stay permanently with their extended family.  Our goal is always to support and empower the extended family to enable reintegration of the child back into their family and community — as this is the best place for a child to be.

 

To address the challenges faced by teenage children, including early pregnancy, drugs and violence, social workers are organising a structured life skill program for the MMV, East Pokot and community children. This will cover, health and personal hygiene, positive social relationships, communication and public speaking, goal setting and achievement, decision making, conflict resolution and study skills.

 

For the children’s voices to be heard in the community, 30 children will be developed to be child rights champions. This will include; child rights and protection, legal environment protecting rights, leadership, communication and advocacy

 

Family Strengthening

 

In East Pokot, we have and continue to support 10 new needy families with food packages, home improvements as well as livelihood support that is based on social worker’s assessment.

 

To strengthen families and prevent separation, our social workers will organise positive parenting training for parents and guardians on basic child and family development, child rights and protection and access to government services to motivate them and enhance family unity.

 

Health and Community Support

 

To reach more families with positive messages, we will recruit and build the capacities of 2 new change champions from East Pokot.

 

Our social worker and champions of change will conduct home visits to create awareness on school enrolment, female genital cutting (FGC) and early marriage and mentor new families.

 

To supplement government supplies, So They Can will fund the purchase of medicines for the New Canaan clinic — and to bring essential services close to the community, we are working to support the salary of a lab technician for New Canaan dispensary until December 2020.

 

Lastly, to support with coping with COVID-19, we will fund the purchase of personal protective equipment PPE for New Canaan clinic personnel.

 

— — — 

 

As always, none of this would be possible without the generous support of our regular donors and sponsors. We are so grateful allowing us to continue this important work. You can keep up to date with our latest news and the impact of your donations on Facebook and Instagram.