By Louise and the KTD196 Dream Team | Jack of all trades, master of none!
Can you believe we are in the middle of February already? Man, it just seems like on one hand because lockdown time has slowed to a snail’s pace, and on the other hand, it’s zooming by so quickly.
The President announced that we are still on level 3 but with some relaxing of restrictions. Schools hopefully will return on the 15th February 21. Private schools have already returned.
What we are seeing on the ground is a continuation of food insecurity. To that end, I have started a micro project to raise money for food alone for the next 3months. If you are interested in adding additional support just for food please go to:
https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/prevent-stunting-in-100vulnerable-children-today/
Another issue that has become evident is the increase in reported domestic violence. Sadly, during lockdown, stress, combined with job loss, lack of money, hunger, poor coping skills, the sudden banning of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes has caused a massive increase in domestic violence. To this end, KTD196 is also planning on doing multiple trainings on:
- What Constitutes Domestic Violence as many people don’t know that being beaten or forced to have sex in a marriage is illegal
- What can be done about DV
- What to do if you see someone being abused
- What you can do if you are being abused
- How to protect the children
- Communication skills
So far in January and continued into February, we have been doing door to door campaigns to educate the parents on Covid, Child Safety, the need for better supervision of children while at home, the reinstituting of our Children's Program and Food Garden plans. Parents have been very responsive so far and so have the children.
Going door to door is labor-intensive and time-consuming however, due to Covid, we have lost so many children to our program because adults have not allowed their children to attend and schools have banned extra-curricular activities so we are recruiting parents who have received food parcels or any donations from KTD196 to be a part of the solution in providing a safe venue for the groups.
So far this strategy is working well!
Our numbers have seriously dropped in 2020, to about a 3rd of what we had prior to Covid, however, we are not sitting around and waiting we are actively recruiting from within the families to reduce the burden of Covid. Of course, we are also screening every child, ensuring they are wearing masks, sanitizing, and social distancing. The children are very relieved to be participating once again.
The stumbling block has been fear, however now that we are able to freely move around and discuss Covid in a rational manner parents are predominantly happy for their children to resume our program.
I want to thank you for all of your support over this very difficult period. Together we have saved lives and futures because our kids are eating properly and this will mean their futures will not be plagued with stunting and all that means.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! We could not have achieved that without your support.
God bless you!
Louise
Links:
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