In the wake of COVID-19, Changemakers 365 teamed up with Opportunigee Women group– a community-based group comprised of 15 members, to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The group was initially engaged in bar soap making and distribution at the reception Centre. Because of the importance of soap availability, Changemakers 365 saw a new way to partner with Opportunigee Women, through soap making! We were able to provide enough materials to make 8,000 bars of soap! This soap was distributed to the newly settled refugees in Nakivale! “From the time the pandemic was officially announced in Uganda the prices of essential items like soap have gone high and UNHCR distributes 2 pieces of soap on monthly basis per individual but considering health guidelines, it is not sufficient for washing hands, bathing and washing clothes, Bar soap is one of the most wanted items for the cleaning at the household level and in this period of time more cleaning and hand washing is required this makes … [Read more...] about Scrubbing Away to Keep the COVID at Bay
Archives for June 2020
Stitching Together Community Health
It’s no surprise that masks are in high demand in Nakivale refugee settlement. Just like where you live, masks are encouraged and an important part of keeping yourself and others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Probably also similar to where you live, masks are more difficult to come by, this is where Changemakers comes in! We quickly found a women’s tailoring group who had more students then machines to teach on. “I only have two tailoring machines and yet I have 6 people to train so they have been coming in shifts and it does not give me time to rest because I have work the whole day to fulfill my shifts and ensure that my students get services,” says the trainer at Kiretwa center. Quickly, we procured 4 new sewing machines for the group to expand their operation! These machines will train more people and also help increase income from the masks that they make. “I would like to thank ALIGHT for bringing these machines in our village because they are going to help our … [Read more...] about Stitching Together Community Health
Humanitarians First: Alight Pakistan Responds to COVID-19
Stepping up in a time of crisis... For years now, our work in Pakistan has been all about getting kids back in the classroom. There are millions of out-of-school kids in the country—children who have either dropped out of school, live in remote areas, or who can’t afford school fees. So far, we’ve enrolled over 800,000 previously out-of-school kids, creating new opportunities for families to better access and afford education that works for them. … [Read more...] about Humanitarians First: Alight Pakistan Responds to COVID-19
8 Ways Alight Is Getting Coronavirus Information to Refugees
When it comes to coronavirus prevention and response, displaced people and those living in refugee camps face a different set of challenges than most. Even in the best of times, access to information—especially when it comes to healthcare—can be difficult to come by. … [Read more...] about 8 Ways Alight Is Getting Coronavirus Information to Refugees
Facing the Challenge: Our Somali Program Responds to COVID-19
A team committed to standing by the people they serve... Over the past few years, Alight's Somali Program have faced down challenge after challenge. Extreme drought and famine impact displaced people disproportionately. Refugees returning after decades away face new hurdles as they struggle to build livelihood and community back home. Political instability is an ever-present threat. Recently, locusts and flooding threaten to destabilize farmers and communities. But through it all, our teams have been there to help, doing the doable to protect the people we serve. … [Read more...] about Facing the Challenge: Our Somali Program Responds to COVID-19