Covid-19 has finally hit hard in the regions where we serve! The third wave has come with increased intensity and we are witnessing a high rate of deaths. Indeed, the government recently dubbed five counties, Disease Infected Zones, and put strict restrictions on movement. One of the counties affected is Machakos where our headquarters is located. It is also home to hundreds of sponsored children and several CBOs. However, we have not stopped our services. Fortunately, we are considered frontline workers and so in some limited cases, we have been able to secure travel permits to reach our children and their families.
These restrictions could not have come at a worse time for us. With the schools closed, we had hoped to conduct TUBE Camps (Tumaini Bible and Experience) throughout the country but that will not be possible now. Instead, we have pivoted to gathering 3-10 children per venue (the maximum number allowed). This is quite limiting and expensive to run but we still find it necessary to help our children. We found out during last year's long school closure that our teens faced added challenges, especially socially and economically. Our staff and regional volunteers are doing an outstanding job through these mini-TUBEs which we expect to continue for the foreseeable future. Our theme for this year's TUBE Camp is appropriate prayer. We recognize that despite all the medical efforts, Covid-19 has hit millions of people in Kenya and beyond and that our ultimate hope is in God. This pandemic has broken the backbone of the country's economy with thousands of poor families especially going through a tough time.
Thank you for your ongoing support for our general needs. Your donations into our Hope Fund have truly made a huge difference throughout these challenging times. If you can make a designated donation to this fund, please do so TODAY. You can donate by going online or simply sending a check. More importantly, join us in prayer as our field team guides these tender souls through challenging times.
Thank you for your amazing, life-changing partnership.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
As of Tuesday, April 13th, 2021
-This week the daily positivity rate is averaging at 15% as the third wave rages on.
-Schools remain closed across the country for in-person learning, except for the 12th-grade class students who are taking their national exit exam.
-There is a partial lockdown affecting 5 counties (out of 47) that have been impacted the most by the current third wave. People within the 5 counties can only move within and those of other counties are not allowed in. While the move is understandable, it is causing major economic challenges throughout the country.
-There were 7,305 new positive cases, a sharp increase from last week bringing the total so far to 147,147.
-There are more deaths from the third wave, 26 over the last 24 hours bringing the total to 2,394.
-Nightly curfews continue from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am and have been extended for another two months.
-Over 500,000 people have so far been vaccinated but still a long way to go.
We continue to thank God for His protection. All the children and the families that we support remain safe. Our staff is all doing well and continuing to serve.