The year 2020 was one of the most unpredictable for all of us. We, in project Africa for Africa, just as in other organizations, had to make several hard decisions and adjustments to deal with the effects of COVID-19.
All education sectors in Kenya were closed by the government from March 2020 to September 2020. With distance learning not practical for most families and schools, students stayed home and were left to study on their own. Primary and secondary schools in particular were closed until the end of 2020, with the exception of students in their final years, who were allowed to resume from September 2020.
This situation brought an immense effect to our programs. The Vijito School, partly supported by AFA, was closed. In the Scream Africa children’s home, we had to divide the children to avoid congestion, provide face masks and disinfect the residences regularly; we are grateful that none of them caught the virus. From April 2020, some children stayed in Nairobi while another group stayed in a small town called Machakos, some 60 km from Nairobi, in a facility provided by a well-wisher.
Our IT Centre was closed until September 2020 except for maintenance and administration. We resumed with a limited number of students, keeping to the social-distancing rules and other measures imposed by the Kenyan government.
In summary, our project has so far supported more than 600 youths in Kenya. Through the distance-adoption (scholarship) program, 47 students have benefited; most have either completed university or are currently studying. The Computer Centre benefited over 470 students by the end of 2020. At the Scream children’s home there are 50 children, and Scream Vijito School had more than 147 students.
We are grateful that, through the support of many, the AFA project has continued to help the needy for over 11 years. To all of you who support this project, we say thank you and wish you a prosperous year 2021.
By the AFA Team, Kenya and the Czech Republic