Rays of Hope in Dark Days

Last Saturday, June 5th was a dark day for many Kenyans. A dark day because many had waited anxiously for 21 long days for the government to lighten the lockdowns and curfew restrictions that had been put in place across the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.  However, given the rising number of confirmed cases across most of the country, the government, instead, extended the partial lockdown and curfews for another 30 days!  Understandably, there was a national collective sigh of disappointment. I completely understand the disappointment.  The already declining economy has been depressed further and the impact is palpable across the country.  I know many other countries are grappling with the same dilemma. 

Due to the ongoing situation, we at Tumaini are staying on course to provide all the basic services to our sponsored children and the families.  We have been impacted, especially in three key areas: education, food shortage, and healthcare.  In education, schools remain closed but there is an outside chance that they may re-open in September. In mid-August, the Education Department will issue guidelines for a possible partial re-opening. Meanwhile, because children who are fed at boarding schools are now staying home longer than normal, we are distributing extra food to some of the most hard-hit regions that we serve. So, food is a critical need now until schools re-open. In healthcare, our staff continues to provide necessary services to the sponsored children and the surrounding communities.   Thank you for all the support you have given to enable us to provide these services!

Further news on education is that virtual learning for our 12th graders at Tumaini International Girls High School is going very well.  As the photos and video clips will show, the learning process is considerably basic in comparison to our flawless systems in the West.  We supplied each student with a basic smartphone through which they receive notes, instruction, and interaction with their teachers covering various subjects.  The lessons are offered via whiteboards and through WhatsApp and Skype platforms.  The program has been successful.   Here is what one teacher said about the e-learning taking place: ‘’We are through with the syllabus in most of the subjects. The students are very responsive and they will be ready for the Exams when things will be back to normal and the government opens schools’’. 

A student offered this assessment: ‘’Despite the challenges [Covid19], we are happy that we can learn while at home through the E-learning program. Thank you for all who initiated this program.’’ And Principal Esther summed it up this way: ‘’ There is smooth interaction between the teachers and the students through E-learning and we thank God for this’’. 

Thank you everyone for standing with us in prayer and financial support during these past few months.  We have been successful in adjusting our programs and services to meet the needs of our sponsored children and their guardians.  We will continue to provide the above services in the foreseeable future.  If you would like to make a donation to our Hope Fund, it will be directed to these three critical areas of, education, food and healthcare. 
 

Sincerely,


Stanley Mutunga
President & CEO