Zaina, Alex and today's announcements
Today the government have announced the latest guidance in response to the lockdown measures originally put in place in March, due to Covid-19. The gradual easing comes as Uganda has just recorded over a thousand cases of coronavirus. There is fear that releasing the stringent measures too early, would cause more damage than would bring benefit from an open economy, at least at this time.
Unlike many other countries worldwide, who have taken the decision to allow society to go back to some normalities sooner, Uganda will likely keep many restrictions until a vaccination is in unlikely be back an time soon.
I do not want to declare a dead year for schools because what if we get a vaccine or a treatment? Let us give ourselves this month to concentrate on long-distance learning as we analyze things - President Museveni
President Museveni is committed to distributing 10,000 radios to aid home education while schools are off.
Zaina and Alex share with us how they are getting on at this time.
Zaina is 16 and in Senior 3. Her mother used to work supplying samosas to schools, before they were closed in March. Without work, her mother is not able to bring in sufficient money to support the family, with Zaina saying that they have occasionally had to go without food in a day. Zaina spends her time helping her mother by cooking and washing the dishes, as well as reading school books to stay prepared for upcoming exams, for when schools reopen.
“I want to see my mother happy and able to provide for us food to eat”. - Zaina
Zaina is one of the older students Hope for Life support into senior school. Alex is one one of the youngest at 7 years old, in Primary 1.
Other than not attending school, Alex hasn’t seen any changes from the lockdown. Like many in Katanga, he has been supporting his family around the house, “I have been helping fetch water for home and also washing the utensils”. Alex explains how the question papers Hope for Life provided have been helpful, “Yes. I had nothing to help me revise my school work but now I do”.
Please consider donating to support families during this time, with more immediate provisions including food, or for support back into work as the economy opens up.