Dear SHARE Africa friend:
I would like to just brief you as to how the current COVID-19 crisis is affecting SHARE Africa and most importantly our orphans that many of you help support.
We have been in constant touch with the SHARE Africa staff in Kenya over last several weeks and have been receiving reports on what is happening there as to COVID-19.
After the first case showed up in Nairobi two weeks ago, and the University of Nairobi was shut down, the Board here requested the Kenya staff to develop a contingency plan to get all children settled,
should their schools close. Since all our orphans are in Boarding schools and could limit their time away from school, (shelter in place), and these schools are in remote places, very far from the
urban centers around Nairobi, we were hopeful that they can continue their studies as normal. However, the President of Kenya ordered all learning institutions to be closed for thirty days as from March 16th, 2020.
So, we implemented the contingency plan that was developed, accounting for each child, and I am pleased to inform you that all our orphans are at home with their guardians or relatives. Most
importantly, they are safe. This all occurred in a very orderly fashion and per the contingency plan.
Currently, we are in the process of providing food to the homes where the orphans are placed, which is tough under the national lock down type law and of course unmitigated price gauging. This creates a new challenge, but the staff is dedicated and working diligently so no one will starve.
Our Kenya Staff is being careful and limiting interaction with people and they have noted that life is very difficult as transportation/ gasoline procurement is now more difficult and have become very
expensive.
Please know that I am in daily touch with key staff in Kenya and we all are hoping and praying that this crisis ends soon. As always, I am very appreciative of all your support and would like to take this
opportunity to wish you an easy and safe time as we all deal with this global crisis.
As the current situation not only places additional strain on the operations in Kenya but also limits our fund-raising activities in the United States, any additional contributions you can make at this time
will help to further support our orphans and their guardians.
Best regards,
Usha
Usha Wright
President
SHARE Africa
Tel: 914 439 6043
usha@shareafrica.org
www.shareafrica.org