Me and COVID: Volunteer adventures in Kenya
In March 2020 the pandemic was spreading around the world has all of us know, in Kenya with only 2 cases identified the government started preventive measures, closing schools, sting up a curfew time, and avoiding unnecessary travels. By then I was in Ethiopia on a trip to renew my visa (I’ve completed 6 months in Kenya and was ready for another 4).
On my way back, because there was one covid case in Ethiopia, I had to follow self-quarantine in Shianda for 2 weeks. It is not easy to follow self-quarantine in Shianda, when you depend almost daily on market food since you don't have a fridge, but with all the support from other volunteers, I managed :)
After one week, the number of cases raised (between 8 and 16) and Kenya decided to close the airport to all international flights. Now in 2 days' time, I had to pack my bags and go back to Portugal before there are no more flights. A lot of work pending and a feeling of sadness accompanied me as I get farther away from Kenya.
Gladly EU gave us the opportunity to work remotely, to at least finish some tasks, and support WEFOCO with the new needs: provide information to the community about covid and supply them with protective equipment.
Finally, in September 2020, it was possible to return, since flights were operating frequently. On the return, everything flowed really well. Knowing the community and having clear tasks and goals in mind really allow the work to flow. I was really satisfied and noticing the impact of my actions in the capacity of the community. Training for caretakers of children with a disability was running weekly in two different schools and a manual for trainers started to become real.
After 2 months Covid strikes again... and now it came from being around the world ... to being inside my body. I got Corona virus! How? I don't know, the truth is that in the villages people are not so cautious, so the mask use is not implemented or when it is, they are wearing it not in the proper way. While traveling in public transport in the local communities (matatu) is also impossible to keep distance, since they still overpack the vans, despite the government advice.
With home treatment, rest, and self-quarantine, my Covid was out of my system after 2 weeks. But the work was interrupted and we are now in January 2021 and I'm still struggling to make things flow again. Has any volunteer in the field resilience and flexibility are a must, and this time I had to focus on what I can do? My training were all canceled since the Min. of Education was not giving permission for me to be in the schools and then there was the Christmas break.
Noticing the rise of covid cases in Shianda and Kakamega region, together with Esther (WEFOCO), we decided to prepare a second outreach in the communities on prevention and home treatment of COVID.
The session has been really useful and with interesting discussions in the groups, a lot of members said that I am the first person they meet that had covid, and that some people still believe that covid is not real. We also realized that the way their grandmas used to treat them for cold and flu is one of the best ways to treat covid symptoms at home. Some members were very surprised and proud to know that this ancestral natural medicine (eucalyptus steam breathing) can be helpful to overcome COVID.
The sessions are conducted in a participatory way and home treatment advice focusing on the potential of local vegetables, fruits, and plants to support on covid treatment, allowing the groups to feel more confident on what to do to prevent and if symptoms arise. We also learn about breathing and chest expansion exercises to help during recovery. Thanks to the microfinance each participant in the session receives also vitamin C tablets and masks.
Has Covid decided to meet me in Shianda, I decided to use it has the advantage to build capacity in the communities.
So far so good!
Andreia (EUAV in Shianda)
It was a crazy experience, and I am so happy you managed to go back. I hope we will manage to do the same one day also!
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