Pandemic Preparedness in Kenya
For several years, Children's Hunger Relief Fund has worked with our partners in Kenya helping to provide the necessary materials for clean water, sanitation and hygiene for more than 200 schools within Mwimbi and Muthambi sub-counties.
In March of last year, Kenya confirmed their first case of COVID-19. Along with many other parts of the world, they began closing down learning institutions, banning social gatherings, along with other measures to help prevent the spread.
In order to combat the pandemic, our partners restructured their programs to respond to the public health threat. Handwashing stations were placed in high traffic areas such as markets, police stations, bus stations, and health facilities as well as in private households that were in need.
Along with the distribution of hand washing stations, our partners collaborated with the Government Department of Health Services and Sanitation to design and distribute COVID-19 information, education, and communication materials. In addition to print or audio/visual media, which are considered a luxury, Community Health Volunteers (CHV) empowered the population with information of the pandemic so that the it would reach all families. CHV's also visited 115,232 households, wearing personal protective equipment, to further educate and create awareness among the community along with encouraging them to embrace safety measures.
As the spread slows, learning institutions and facilities are beginning to re-open. But our work is not done. CHRF and our partners have big goals for this year!
We hope to ensure that more of our partner schools have functioning handwashing stations, all of the students are washing their hands frequently, regular monitoring and distribution of soap and WaterGuard are supplied to all of our partner schools and the handwashing stations around the community.
CHRF needs your help in order to achieve these goals so we can continue helping save the lives of needy children who deserve a bright and healthy future!!