Dear All,
Yes, another Riziki Newsletter! I have just received the report below from Liz about how Covid-19 is affecting Kenya and Riziki in particular. Many thanks to so many of you for the encouraging responses following the last newsletter. Thank you too for your offers of financial help at this difficult time. Donations are always gratefully accepted, and we always trust that our donors will give when they feel moved to do so.
Here is what Liz wrote:
Dear Ian, Diana,
Am sorry I have taken long to write; all is well with us.
Kenya reported yesterday, April 2nd, that confirmed cases are now at 110, with 3 deaths. The country is still open for business but with strict restrictions and regulations, some of them include, a 7pm curfew, closing down of restaurants, unless for takeaway (this has affected my mom significantly, she has had to close down for a period.) Barbershops and salons are also closed within Nakuru area. Most other businesses are still in operation. Public transport has become such a hassle, fares have gone up and there is a recent directive to wear masks.
Riziki
Am happy to report we are all in good health. Apart from a cold, that affected me and some of the children, am happy to report that we are all well now.
Staff
Riziki staff have been amazing and very co-operative with all the measures we have instituted up to date and they continue to give 100% commitment during this period. We had a staff meeting and agreed on additional measures to help us continue serving the children for longer. They include:-
Taking temperatures as they come in and as they leave in the evening, in order to detect fevers early and take appropriate measures.
To take seriously all recommended guidelines issued for safety in their own homes. They agreed to limit unnecessary movement outside their homes as well as regular hand washing at home to minimize the risk of infection from their own families.
In case of infection of family member or themselves they would naturally stay at home.
Agreed to identify and minimize waste where present.
One of the previous measures was washing their hands at the gate with soap and water as they got in. We received a timely gift of 200litre water tank from the Nakuru Business Association, that we directed to this purpose. Will send picture on WhatsApp.
We had a visit from health officers, and they were happy with the procedures put in place at the home to keep the children safe.
The children have had mixed reactions, the older ones seem to be keen to follow the news and understand, while the young ones only know they need to wash their hands. Kimani has been instructing everyone (me included) on how to properly wash their hands. (Kimani, Glen always loves to know and understand what is going on. He is very astute!)
Speaking of Kimani, he was really concerned about whether you had gotten home okay and written to say so. He also wondered how you got home with airports closed; this question shocked me. I guess he is not asleep during the news. I did tell him you wrote, and you are fine.
A concern that came up with the kids was about being able to see their relatives. We are currently not receiving any visitors to Riziki and the children were concerned about how they would know if their people were okay. We decided that they can be allowed a few minutes phone-call every week so they can have peace of mind as things escalate in the country.
The children have otherwise been busy with house chores and spending most of the morning in study. Most schools have sent assignments through WhatsApp or their own websites for the children to do. This has kept them busy. Most afternoons are spent in different activities, the young ones are happy to play outside, the older boys playing football, and the girls making each other's (Sic!) and kitchen duties. We are almost going through our supply of colouring books!
The older boys have been very helpful this week in making furrows to plant beans. We planted beans yesterday and that should help build our reserve.
Things we are grateful for:
As the world changes and things become increasingly uncertain, we have decided to have an attitude of gratitude. We are grateful to God for:
Water tanks and running water; with water being key in the fight against infection we are very, very grateful for water, which not so many Kenyans can say.
We are also grateful to have the land and farm, that the kids can get out and play and get some sun together without risk of infection from others. We are grateful for the farm, that we can get our main supply of food and not risk our main staff health by going to the market regularly.
Grateful for the car, that we can safely travel from home to Riziki.
Among other things that I will send later. Am dead tired.
Keep safe
Liz
Many thanks for being interested in Riziki and for reading this newsletter.
Many Blessings, Ian & Diana