COVID-19 Response October 2020 Update
According to the World Health Organization, as of October 28, 2020 there have been 5,084 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Rwanda and 35 deaths resulting from the virus. The Komera community in Rwanda still needs support to get through these trying times. We have adjusted our approach in our different programs so that we can best reach and serve our beneficiaries within the standard operating procedures set by the Rwandan government. The following are updates on our programs.
Scholarship program:
The Komera scholarship program, which currently supports 174 vulnerable girls in secondary, post-secondary, tertiary and university education, was one of the programs most affected by COVID-19 due to school closures and the students’ inability to learn directly with others in schools. We are thrilled that school is planning to reopen in November!
Between August and September 2020, Komera Safety Circles mentors visited all participants and delivered sanitary towels and face masks in addition to food packages. Through these socially distant in-person discussions with the girls as well as regular text messages and phone calls, they were able to share how they have been able to cope with the pandemic and how they have supported their communities. These sessions proved an invaluable approach to support and connect with students, and keep them focused on their long-term goals.
Our upcoming plans to help girls include a two-day leadership training workshop to guide scholars in their personal development, their focus and career growth. We are also working hosting a mentor training in each secondary partner school to learn how to encourage adolescent girls after this long break from their studies. We are anticipating girls will return to school with many new challenges, and our mentors in each school will be essential resources to our students. On November 2, 2020 the girls will resume their studies!
Teen Pregnancy Preventive program:
During the pandemic lockdown, a key challenge has been the increasing rates of teenage pregnancy and early marriage. As a result of this disheartening reality, Komera has launched an immediate intervention to protect the lives of adolescent girls. The program serves adolescent girls between the ages of 13-19 from our four empowerment partnership schools within the Kayonza district.
During this time, girls will come together in small groups for sessions where they will learn about their rights, sexual and reproductive health, decision making, career skills, gender-based violence and other topics. The lessons will be facilitated and led by community peer mentors who have received leadership training. We were thrilled to hire former Komera scholars to lead as peer mentors in this new program! These Komera mentors have unique experience as they live in the same community and understand the unique challenges these young women face.
We selected 160 girls to participate in this program, although the need is great and many turned out for the application process. The program was officially launched on October 15, the International Day of Rural Women. Girls in the preventive program were given soap, pads and face masks to stay healthy and safe. Komera led an advocacy campaign for the Day of Rural Women that included a tailored jingle message playing on a loudspeaker driving around the community. The goal of this campaign was to safely, using social-distance measures, educate people on how to fight gender-based violence as well as teenage pregnancy and COVID-19 prevention.
Teenage Mother Program:
Since the start of this program two years ago, Komera has graduated 150 teenage mothers, 75 in each cohort who are with Komera for a year. The Teen Mother program reaches out to the most vulnerable girls who have lost hope and need a shoulder to lean on. While COVID-19 disrupted all our programs, we were still able to meet the teenage mothers in their small groups safely until the group graduated in September 2020. Because of the drastic increase in teen pregnancy in our community, we have expanded the number of girls in this program from 75 to 120. We are happy to reach more girls in our community and support them during this challenging period in their life.
“As I look back into my life when I was joining the Komera teenage mothers program a year ago, I can’t believe it’s me today smiling, very happy and fond of my baby. The Komera teen pregnancy opened up my eyes to more love and bonding with my family that I did not have before and I know I can change my life and that of my child.” ”
Komera held a small, safe graduation event for the last cohort where each family received a package of hygiene products including soap and water containers to keep themselves clean and secure from infections. “As I look back into my life when I was joining the Komera teenage mothers program a year ago, I can’t believe it’s me today smiling, very happy and fond of my baby,” said one of the participants. “The Komera teen pregnancy opened up my eyes to more love and bonding with my family that I did not have before and I know I can change my life and that of my child.”
Parent and Guardian Cooperative:
The Komera Cooperative currently has more than 80 parents actively involved who learn from one another, share experiences and above all, save for their children’s support. During September and October 2020, all parent groups were visited in their locations with the main objectives of following up on their businesses after lockdown and providing advice where necessary. We informed them about the changes in the program due to COVID-19 and reminded them of their responsibilities. The parents showed great commitment to the cooperative even with the disruptions resulting from COVID-19 and they are meeting regularly.
Thank you to those who continue to give generously to our COVID-19 fund and support our community during this challenging time. As the crisis continues, we’ll provide you with timely updates.