Effects of Corona Virus Disease 19(COVID 19)

The number of cases of Covid-19 in Kenya have risen rapidly from the first reported case on 13 March 2020 up to date. Currently, the impact and spread of infections are feared to be exacerbated by the huge number of people living in poverty; a weak health infrastructure; overcrowding in informal settlements; and poor access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Due to curfews and limited movement of people, many roles have become redundant, resulting in job losses or unpaid leave. Workers who already live in poverty hence no precautionary savings consequently face a high risk of falling into poverty and might experience even greater challenges in regaining their livelihoods after the pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted education for nearly 1.3 billion students worldwide. The pandemic has forced schools around the world to close, with students continuing their education online.    

But many of them in some parts of Kenya are missing out because the resources are not available. The dominant alternative model for education has been tethered to internet access and broadcast stations. But what happens to children who live in households without access to technology, power or an internet connection?

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on Kenya’s economy, our scholars, alumni and the communities that they come from. Primary and Secondary Schools remain closed until January 2021, while universities and colleges will re-open in September under strict conditions. The final implications on our scholars are not yet very clear but some teaching is likely to be conducted online, inaccessible to many of our scholars. Some exams and courses might be deferred longer. 

The impact of COVID-19 on our alumni has also been painful to watch. Many who graduated last year have been unable to get jobs and many that were in employment have either been sent on unpaid leave or rendered redundant/jobless. By virtue of coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, our Langalanga scholars’ families have little resources to manage shocks to the economy such as what has been caused by coronavirus.  A number of them are already living in desperate circumstances having been unable to afford food and house rent among other basic needs.

These are tough times for our scholars and it is critical that our work is not undone by this crisis. To help us provide basic necessities to our scholars, will you please consider a donation to help provide:

• Emergency aid to the most affected among our scholars i.e. basic food and upkeep
• A means to access internet for our scholars in the most interior rural communities so that they can complete their courses in compliance with the normal of online learning
• Support the affected scholars continue education on courses which are extended or deferred at an extra cost.

LLSPA together with LLT (Langalanga Trust) have come up with a program to try and assist scholars under the support of Langalanga Scholarship Fund(LLSF) http://langalangatrust.org.uk.Among the scholars who have received support from this program they have received funds to support them in self-employment and putting food at the table.