Canadian Samaritans for Africa
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We believe that Africa needs solidarity and collaboration not pity and sympathy.
We are determined to support asset based grass roots goals than needs-based interventionist approaches
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June 2021
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We shall overcome!
By Ekwy Odozor
Deor, in the Old English poem, said of his tribulations, "That passed, and so may this". This saying remains our hope and prayer for the world as we collectively find ways to move forward to normal life.
As Deor would have said, this COVID-19 scourge will also pass. This pandemic has undoubtedly caused unspeakable losses, pain and setbacks for many around the world. In the past fourteen months, millions have passed away and many are left distressed. My thoughts remain with everyone.
I have often wondered about the poor and vulnerable people who have been striving to survive hopeless conditions pre-COVID. Imagine these: How are they faring now? Who is helping them? What is happening with those orphans? How have these widows, mothers and destitute children carried on when their helpers are fighting to survive the pandemic? Their pain and suffering have quadrupled, and they must have witnessed setbacks in the gains, which they made, with the help of organizations such as the Canadian Samaritans for Africa (CSA), prior to the pandemic.
As an organization, CSA has been tremendously impacted by the effect of this pandemic on the volunteers, donors, projects and beneficiaries. In this edition of the newsletter, we bring you firsthand accounts of voices from the fields. The CSA agents in Kenya and Nigeria share
stories of the impact of COVID-19 on the projects within their agency.
In addition, we recognize every struggle during this pandemic, we share our gratitude for those standing. We thank everyone for holding forth. We look forward to reconnecting and moving forward in service. May God keep everyone in good health! We will move forward, coming together, stronger than ever. "That passed, and so may this."
Thank you,
Ekwy Odozor (she/her/Dr.) @ekwyodozor
President - Canadian Samaritans for Africa
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IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON KIBERA
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Building on the Assets of the African Women
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Ekwy Odozor
Vice President/Project Co-ordinator (Triple C)
Secretary/Project Co-ordinator (Uganda Project)
Sherryann Ambrose
Treasurer /Project Coordinator (Kijiji)
Oge Okolo
Project Coordinator (ATWEF)
Afam Ene
Project Co-ordinator (Watinooma)
Jody Burnie
Project Co-ordinator (ESCA)
Eric Osaru
Founder/Project Co-ordinator (South Sudan)
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Quice Digba
Kirk Mark
CSA ADDRESS
174-99 Bristol Road East
Mississauga, ON, L4Z 3P4
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The onset of Covid19 pandemic and the containment measures set and enforced by the government such as lockdown, curfew, wearing of face masks and regular handwashing with soap and sanitizer has affected every aspect of life as understood before the pandemic. Nowhere are the effects more visible than within the slum communities such as Kibera due to high concentration of people and buildings, lack of adequate water and poor sanitation. The effects are both economic and social as families struggle to cope with the pandemic.
To begin with, many people lost sources of livelihood due to the pandemic that resulted in closure of many businesses. Jobs were lost without notice of resuming work hence income. Many residents of Kibera are low-income earners who therefore had little or no saving at all when the pandemic strike. Families were rendered vulnerable since the breadwinners could no longer provide for the needs of the family leading to depression and anxiety within the household which sometimes spilt over to violence.
Many residents of Kibera are small business operators who rely on long hours of operation and get items of trade out of Nairobi. The imposed curfew and lockdown to contain the spread limited hours of operation hence diminished income. Buying power also went down due to reduced or no income since many households who previously had three meals each day started doing with one only. Furthermore, the cost of transport went high due to social distance rule in public transport. Caregivers who do business depend on these modes of transport to ferry goods for trade from the market. Businesses therefore could not be sustained due to sudden loss and many closed up hence rendering families without source of income hence livelihood.
To complicate matters further for these small business owners, the new regulations required them to install hand washing containers with running water and soap at the site of business. Water is not an easy commodity to come by in Kibera forcing many businesses to close due to high cost involved.
The social effects of the pandemic are also as devastating. The loss of income and consequent inability by the caregivers to provide for the needs of the household led to depression and tension within the family. Many cases of violence have been reported as a copying mechanism by breadwinners who were now rendered without income; victims being women and children who cannot protect themselves against such violence hence disrupting the normal family life.
The long closure of schools interrupted learning of children especially those in the slum communities who could not afford the cost of internet for online learning nor the necessary tools for that. As a result, many children engaged in self destructive behaviors due to influence from their peers. There was upsurge in teen pregnancy and drug use among youth population especially in slum areas. This eventually created insecurity within the community since these youths engaged in petty crimes to get money for their drug habits.
The way of life of community was also greatly affected by the pandemic. Social institutions such as churches, mosques, schools and sport facilities were closed down to contain the spread of the virus. These institutions serve a vital role in modeling the behavior of the members of the community. Youths spend most of their time in these institutions hence limiting self-destructive behaviors. The closure of the institutions escalated the social ills witnessed today within the communities.
by Andrew Obara (CSA Agent - Kenya)
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EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
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Please join the Canadian Samaritan for Africa family in congratulating its Founder and CEO Fr. Stan Chu llo on receiving the Excellence in Public Service Award. The committee chose well for you deserve this award, and your CSA family rejoices with you. We thank you immensely for donating the money from this award to CSA. That too shows your selfless commitment to those on the CSA. This much deserved award couldn’t go to a better candidate!
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THE SAMARITAN NURSERY SCHOOL
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The Samaritan Nursery School is an offshoot of The Children's Educational Foundation (The CHEF Uganda) that was started by Rev Alex Ojacor and his friends in 2006 to provide livelihoods to vulnerable children in Uganda with basic education, skills and support With the support of Canadian Samaritans for Africa ( founded by Rev Stan Chu Ilo, a classroom block was constructed CSA has been very instrumental in supporting the many activities of the school to date This partnership has been very significant for the growth of the school We have been, however, severely impacted by COVID 19 pandemic There is, therefore, a dire need for support for the reopening process.
Our Vision : The whole integrated Person
Our Mission To equip the children with basic education and life skills that trans form the entire person.
Our Motto : Integral education for life. The Samaritan School sets out to empower children and adults alike to become active participants in the transformation of our society Our central focus is on the student and their own learning by means of a rich resource center, modern technology and linkages that enable them to develop values, attitudes and behaviors in order to become productive members of their society We currently have 105 children There are four teachers, a matron, a cook and a security guard as full time staff, others are
volunteers.
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CANADIAN SAMARITIANS FOR AFRICA SUMMER EVENTS
1. CSA July 10, 2021 Concert: Save the date!
We are thrilled to connect with our sponsors, donors, friends, well wishers through a virtual event (Connecting and Moving Forward in Service). Please join us on ZOOM for this virtual concert on July 10 (from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.). More information on how to join will be published soon. Hope to see you there!
2. GoFundMe CAMPAIGN
The CSA GoFundMe Campaign is still on. Please click here to support us. Also, please, share the link with your contact. We thank you, and May God bless all our efforts. Stay Well!
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A Call For Fundraising Partners!
We are looking to partner with individuals, organizations or groups for fundraising ideas. Please contact us if you're interested. Thank You All!
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Be a CSA Volunteer!
Thank you so much!
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