This blog post was created by our Communications & Events Officer, Megan Henderson.

We have been flooded with messages from our local partners as we check in on staff and ensure they, and our members, are remaining safe. Below are a few updates from our partners in their own words - you can even listen to them too! We hope their positivity, faith and prayers for all of us encourage you.

Please note - these messages were received between 19 to 26 March. Things may have changed since their initial recording as we find the pandemic is creating change daily for us in the UK and our programme staff & members abroad.

KENYA

Revd. Elema, Mothers’ Union Coordinator - Marsabit

“Receive Lent greetings from us here in northern Kenya. I’m Revd. Elema, the Mothers’ Union Travelling Secretary, Diocese of Marsabit. We are thankful to the Lord because for the last few days we have had good rainfall in a number of places in northern Kenya. We pray that the rain will continue into the month of April - this is a good start for the rainy season. On a sad note, about 31 persons in Kenya are now confirmed to have the Coronavirus. As a measure to prevent its spread all schools, colleges and universities county-wide were closed a week ago. Further church services are suspended until further notice. In addition to this, people have been advised to stay at home to help in preventing its spread. Nonetheless, a number of people have not heeded to this call because they to go out and work to put food on the table for their families.

Many in this part of the country just live from hand to mouth. We are also advised to wash our hands 12-14 times a day. Now washing your hands frequently with soap and running water is a huge challenge for many in northern Kenya. First and foremost, water itself is hard to come by for most communities living in the north. However, what has to be done, must be done. We are encouraging mothers to keep their families safe by practicing the science of washing their hands as required. Meanwhile, some women’s groups are asking us whether we can provide them with hand sanitizers to help reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

Please continue praying for us and the health workers as they treat the sick and try to contain the spread of the disease. We will be praying for you, please stay safe.”

Cynthia, Programme Coordinator - Western Kenya (Butere, Mumias & Maseno North)

“Hope you are fine and doing quite well in the UK despite the challenge that the entire world is facing. We are doing quite well as the WECODET programme though most of our field activities have been suspended until further notice because of the pandemic that is affecting the entire world. I have managed to talk to a few Group officials concerning their meetings and the mode of payment for their savings, and most of them did not manage to save because the government’s instructing them to sit at home and take care. The majority of them are small scale traders. They depend on their businesses in order for them to save. They depend on their day to day activities like farming. It has been quite challenging to them. Though as a programme we had effected a payment model via the MPesa platform whereby an individual can send his contributions direct to the group account through his mobile phone. From the look of things it seems that most of our group members won’t manage to save, and that is quite challenging. We are hoping that our good God may have mercy on us, hear our humble cry, and restore the situation that the world is undergoing to normal so that we can go back to our normal life. Wish you all the best and have a Blessed day.”

TANZANIA

Kalistus Lugenge, Programme Leader - Morogoro

“I am speaking from Morogoro, Tanzania, my name is Kalistus [Lugenge]. Thank you for sharing how the world is concerned about Corona{virus]. [For] Worship, the number of attendants has increased because some people believe this is the right time to ask God for forgiveness, and this happened because some believe that the disease comes because of sin. In the area of business it is not going well, especially for those products which are imported from other countries like China - its [imported products] price has raised [risen] up. But even local produced goods have gone up in price. This is because of the fear of COVID-19, and the fear of more spread of this kind of virus. People are fearing - there is a lot of fear now. In making sure that people are safe, the Diocese itself has got its statement towards its congregations. In many places: business areas, hospitals, churches and all offices, sanitisers and running water to wash hands have been placed so that people can serve themselves. I was just trying to talk with some group members. Unfortunately, they said they have no idea of what to do - but they are praying and asking God for mercy. We are very much concerned the spread can [will] not be as huge as we are hearing [it is} from the other places around the world. Thank you very much.”

DR CONGO

Irene Nyambura, Programme Advisor - Aru

“I wish to convey my greetings to all of you, our friends, from all of us here at Aru, Democratic Republic of Congo. Just like everybody else in the world, the news about the Coronavirus has reached us, even though to date we have no case reported in Aru. However, in the Democratic Republic of Congo 54 positive cases have been reported. Since March 19th social activities for more than 20 people were banned by the government and the public were encouraged to practice safe distancing. However, commercial activities are ongoing. We are praying, and hoping, that if we stick to the directives by the government, that this {COVID-19} will not hit us. We are very sad to learn of the effects the virus has had in other parts of the world, and we are praying very hard that this pandemic comes to a stop.

Since the directive by the government discourages social gatherings of more than 20 people literacy classes have been ongoing in our project locations. Savings Groups are operational, and we are praying that we shall be able to continue with the activities, and pray that the virus does not spread. We have held a session on sensitizing our community partners on how to prevent themselves from getting infected. We are grateful for your support and we are grateful that there exists this structure that is already adjusting to the local situation in order to keep the communities informed, despite the challenging situation, the difficult moments we are going through at this time. We thank you for your support, and we pray that all will be well very soon.”

BURUNDI

Claudette Kigeme, Programme Coordinator

“Greetings from Burundi, I hope that this message finds you well. During this hard time I take this opportunity to encourage those who are effected by Coronavirus, and assure them of our love and prayers. In Burundi we are still fine, as no case has been officially declared. People continue to work and meet, and children go to school (except to international schools). Our literacy and Savings Groups continue to meet and save. However, measures of protection have been taken like quarantine for those coming from affected countries and closing airports. People are sensitized to avoid shaking hands. Even if Coronavirus is shaking the world and forbidding people to shake hands, lets keep connected in prayers and action - and we shall overcome.

I leave you with this word of encouragement that we find in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 58 saying: ‘Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.’

God bless you.”

UGANDA

Anne Lokure, Programme Coordinator - Karamoja

“Following confirmation of new cases (18 people tested positive to Covid-19 to-date), the government introduced new measures including suspension of public transport and closure of all shops/markets dealing in non-food items for the next two weeks (beginning 25th of March).

While the serious effects of these measures might not be strongly felt in the short term, the long term negative impacts on the people’s livelihoods and overall economy can not be over emphasized. Our groups will with no doubt be negatively impacted especially on the savings as their small businesses from which they get regular disposable incomes for weekly savings will be disrupted.

At the moment, we have encouraged the groups to be innovative e.g. scaling down to 10 the number of members that meet during the weekly saving sessions in a rotational manner so that they comply with the government directive that allows a maximum of 10 people at any one meeting. Besides, safety measures of social distancing and sanitation should also be in place. A few groups are trying this out whereby the executives and 6 other members on a rotational basis meet and transact business on behalf of others. The rest of the members entrust their savings with the treasurer. Those groups in the urban/peri-urban areas like Moroto and Amudat respectively have been encouraged to also use mobile money to make their savings.”

Please, continue to stand with our programmes as they stand with each of you. We remain connected in our mission, faith and prayer.

If you’d like to help our programmes remain resilient and continue to move forward consider joining our prayer network, giving online or inviting someone new to learn more about Five Talents at our first-ever digital event. Thank you.